das  Abitur

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈabɪtuːɐ̯/

🎓 What exactly is 'das Abitur'?

Das Abitur (often shortened to Abi) is the highest school-leaving qualification in Germany, obtained at a Gymnasium (grammar school) or a comprehensive school with an upper secondary level (gymnasiale Oberstufe). It is roughly equivalent to A-Levels in the UK or a High School Diploma in the US, but typically grants direct eligibility (allgemeine Hochschulreife) to study at a university (Universität) or college (Hochschule) in Germany.

The word only uses the article das: das Abitur.

🚨 It is a neuter noun and almost exclusively used in the singular.

🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'das Abitur'

Das Abitur is a neuter noun and is mostly used without an article or with the definite article 'das'. A plural form ('die Abiture') theoretically exists but is extremely rare in common usage. People usually talk about 'Abitur exams' (Abiturprüfungen), 'Abitur certificates' (Abiturzeugnisse), or simply 'the Abitur' of several people.

Declension Singular

Note: The Genitive and Dative forms ending in -es/-e are less common and sound more formal or archaic.

📝 Example Sentences

• Nominative: Das Abitur ist wichtig für die Universität. (The Abitur is important for university.)
• Genitive: Wegen seines guten Abiturs bekam er den Studienplatz. (Because of his good Abitur, he got the university place.)
• Dative: Nach dem Abitur reiste sie durch Europa. (After the Abitur, she traveled through Europe.)
• Accusative: Er hat das Abitur letztes Jahr bestanden. (He passed the Abitur last year.)

💡 How to use 'Abitur'?

The word Abitur is mainly used in the context of school, education, and starting a career.

• Typical Collocations:
  • das Abitur machen/ablegen/bestehen: to successfully complete the Abitur exams.
  • im Abitur sein: to be in the preparation or examination phase for the Abitur.
  • ein gutes/schlechtes Abitur haben: referring to the final grade average.
  • das Abitur nachholen: to obtain the qualification later through adult education (zweiter Bildungsweg).
  • das Abiturzeugnis: the official certificate confirming the qualification.
• Context: When talking about Abitur, it almost always refers to the formal educational qualification and the associated exams and credentials.
• Distinction from other terms:
  • Fachabitur (Fachhochschulreife): Qualifies for study at universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen), but generally not universities (with some exceptions).
  • Matura: The equivalent qualification in Austria and Switzerland.

Example: "Für viele Studiengänge braucht man ein gutes Abitur." (For many degree programs, you need a good Abitur.)

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article 'das':

Think of das Ziel (the goal) or das Zeugnis (the certificate). The Abitur is often *the* big goal leading to *the* certificate. Both 'Ziel' and 'Zeugnis' are neuter, like 'Abitur'. So, *das Ziel* is *das Abitur* leading to *das Zeugnis*.

For the meaning:

Abi sounds a bit like "*Ah, be* free!" or "*A bi*g step!" It marks the point where you leave school and are free to choose your next path, representing a big step into university or a career.

🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms

⚠️ Similar but different terms:

• Fachabitur (Fachhochschulreife): As mentioned above, a different qualification often confused with the general Abitur. It grants access to universities of applied sciences.
• Matura: The equivalent qualification in Austria and Switzerland.

😄 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Na, Fritzchen, was willst du nach dem Abitur machen?"
Fritzchen: "Erstmal ausschlafen!"

Translation:
Teacher: "Well, Little Fritz, what do you want to do after the Abitur?"
Little Fritz: "Sleep in, first of all!"

📜 Poem about the Abitur

Die Schule lang, die Zeit verrann,
Man büffelt, lernt, so gut man kann.
Bio, Mathe, Deutsch und mehr,
Das Abitur, es wiegt so schwer.

Doch ist die Prüfung dann geschafft,
Beginnt ein neuer Lebenssaft.
Die Tür zur Welt, sie steht nun offen,
Man darf auf Neues, Großes hoffen.

Translation:
School was long, time slipped away,
You cram and learn as best you may.
Biology, Math, German, and more,
The Abitur, a heavy chore.

But once the final test is done,
A new life force has just begun.
The door to the world now stands ajar,
You can hope for new things, reaching far.

❓ Riddle: What am I?

Ich bin ein Zeugnis, stolz und schwer,
Eröffne Wege, kreuz und quer.
Nach Jahren an der Schulbank hier,
Bin ich der Schlüssel, glaube mir,
Für Uni, Lehre, weit hinaus.
Man nennt mich oft den 'Bildungsschmaus'.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I am a certificate, proud and weighty,
Opening paths, criss-cross and straightly.
After years spent at a school desk here,
I am the key, believe me, my dear,
For uni, training, far and beyond.
They often call me the 'education bond'.

What am I? Solution: Das Abitur

✨ Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word 'Abitur' comes from the Latin 'abiturire' (to want to leave), a future form of 'abire' (to leave). It refers to the exam after which one leaves school (Examen Abiturium).
• Importance: In Germany, the Abitur is the main prerequisite for accessing university studies.
• Grade Point Average (GPA): The grade point average of the Abitur (Numerus Clausus or NC) plays a crucial role in admission to many competitive university programs.