Alltag und Zeitgenössisches Leben: every key term you need (+ practice quiz)
40 flashcard terms for AP German Language Unit 5, written to match the course framework. Study them here, then drill them as interactive flashcards, or test yourself with the 20-question quiz — free, no account needed.
AP theme covering education, work, leisure, holidays and traditions, travel, food and housing in the German-speaking world.
das dreigliedrige Schulsystem
After Grundschule (grades 1-4) students traditionally split into Hauptschule, Realschule or Gymnasium; many Länder now merge the first two into Gesamt- or Sekundarschulen.
das Gymnasium
Academic secondary school ending with the Abitur, which qualifies students for university.
das Abitur
The school-leaving exam after grade 12 or 13; the Austrian and Swiss equivalent is the Matura.
die Realschule
Secondary school ending after grade 10 with the Mittlere Reife, leading often to vocational training.
die duale Ausbildung
Dual vocational training combining paid work in a company with part-time Berufsschule; a model admired worldwide.
der Azubi / die Auszubildende
Apprentice or trainee in the dual system, usually for two to three and a half years.
die Berufsschule
Vocational school attended one or two days a week alongside an apprenticeship.
der Numerus clausus (NC)
Grade-based admission limit for popular university subjects like medicine.
die Studiengebühren
Tuition fees; public universities in Germany charge almost none, only a Semesterbeitrag that often includes a transit ticket.
das BAföG
State student aid, half grant and half interest-free loan, based on parental income.
das Kindergeld
Monthly child benefit paid to parents regardless of income.
die Elternzeit
Parental leave of up to three years per child with job protection; Elterngeld replaces part of lost income for up to 14 months.
die Work-Life-Balance
Germans work fewer hours per year than most OECD nations, with 20+ vacation days by law and about 30 in practice.
der Urlaub
Vacation; Germans are famous travelers, with Spain, Italy and Austria as favorite destinations.
die Ferien
School holidays; the Länder stagger Sommerferien to reduce traffic on the Autobahn.
die Autobahn
Highway network with sections without a general speed limit; the Tempolimit debate resurfaces regularly.
die Deutsche Bahn
National rail company; ICE high-speed trains but frequent delays make 'die Bahn' a common complaint.