der  Lehrstuhl

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈleːɐ̯ˌʃtuːl/

🏛️ What does "der Lehrstuhl" mean?

Der Lehrstuhl (masculine) primarily refers to two related concepts in the German higher education system:

• A Professorial Chair/Professorship: The official position of a full professor (*Professor* or *Professorin*) at a university (*Universität*) or college (*Hochschule*), associated with specific teaching and research responsibilities in a particular field. One can einen Lehrstuhl innehaben (hold a chair).
• An Organizational Unit: Often, the term is used synonymously for the entire institute or department led by this professor, including staff (*Mitarbeiter*), budget, etc.

It's a key element of the German university structure. 🎓

🚨 Note: It doesn't (just) mean the physical chair the professor sits on, although the word originates from that (*Stuhl* = chair).

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Lehrstuhl

The noun "Lehrstuhl" is masculine. The article is der.

💡 Examples

1. Professor Müller hat den Lehrstuhl für Germanistik inne.
   (Professor Müller holds the chair for German Studies.)
2. An unserer Fakultät gibt es mehrere Lehrstühle für Informatik.
   (In our faculty, there are several chairs for Computer Science.)
3. Die Finanzierung des Lehrstuhls ist für das nächste Jahr gesichert.
   (The funding of the chair is secured for the next year.)
4. Sie arbeitet als wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin an einem renommierten Lehrstuhl.
   (She works as a research assistant at a renowned chair/department.)

Context and Usage: When to use "der Lehrstuhl"?

The term "Lehrstuhl" is used almost exclusively in the academic environment of universities and colleges.

• Typical Collocations: einen Lehrstuhl innehaben (to hold a chair), einen Lehrstuhl bekommen/erhalten (to get/receive a chair), einen Lehrstuhl einrichten (to establish a chair), einen Lehrstuhl leiten (to lead a chair/department), sich auf einen Lehrstuhl bewerben (to apply for a chair).
• Context: Discussions about academic careers, university structures, research units, fields of study.
• Distinction: It's more specific than just *Professur* (professorship). While *Professur* is the job title, *Lehrstuhl* often implies the resources associated with the position (staff, budget, rooms). Internationally, it corresponds most closely to a "chair" or a full, endowed professorship position.

💡 Memory Aids for "der Lehrstuhl"

Article Mnemonic: Think of DER Professor (masculine), who sits on DEM (Lehr-)Stuhl (*chair*, which is also masculine: *der Stuhl*) and *lehrt* (teaches). The chair 'belongs' to 'him'.

Meaning Mnemonic: A Lehrstuhl is more than just a seat. It's the 'throne' (*Stuhl*) of knowledge from which teaching (*lehren*) happens – representing the professor's position and domain.

🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms

⚠️ Similar Terms (Avoid Confusion):

• Stuhl: The general word for a *chair* (furniture).
• Lehrstelle: *Apprenticeship position* in a company (non-academic).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Student den Professor: "Herr Professor, kann man für etwas bestraft werden, was man nicht getan hat?"
Professor: "Natürlich nicht, das wäre ja ungerecht!"
Student: "Gut, ich habe nämlich meine Hausaufgaben für Ihren Lehrstuhl nicht gemacht!"

Translation:
A student asks the professor: "Professor, can one be punished for something one hasn't done?"
Professor: "Of course not, that would be unjust!"
Student: "Good, because I haven't done my homework for your chair/class!"

📜 Poem about the Lehrstuhl

An der Uni, hoch und hehr,
gibt's den Lehrstuhl, stolz und schwer.
Nicht aus Holz, doch voller Geist,
wo der Prof Wissen verheißt.
Für Physik, Jura, Medizin,
zieht er Forscher nach Berlin.
Der Platz, wo kluge Köpfe rauchen,
um ins Tiefste einzutauchen.

Translation:
At the uni, high and noble,
stands the Lehrstuhl, proud and global.
Not of wood, but full of thought,
where the prof shares knowledge sought.
For physics, law, or medicine keen,
it draws researchers to Berlin.
The place where bright minds contemplate,
to delve deep and investigate.

🕵️ A Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Stuhl, doch sitz' ich selten selbst.
Ich bin ein Ort, wo Wissen Wellen schlägt.
Ein Professor hat mich inne, wenn er lehrt und forscht gewellt.
Man findet mich an Unis, wo der Geist sich regt.

Was bin ich? (Answer: Der Lehrstuhl)

Translation:
I am a chair, but rarely sit myself.
I am a place where knowledge makes waves.
A professor holds me when they teach and research is delved.
You find me at universities, where the spirit behaves.

What am I?
(Answer: The Lehrstuhl / chair)

🧩 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition: The word "Lehrstuhl" is a compound noun made of:

• lehren: to teach, to impart knowledge
• der Stuhl: chair (seat)

Historically, the term referred to the elevated seat (*Katheder*) of the teacher in medieval lecture halls. Today, the meaning is more abstract, denoting the position and its associated organizational unit.

Trivia: The number and resources of *Lehrstühle* at a university are often seen as an indicator of its prestige and research focus areas.