die  Lektion

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/lɛkˈtsi̯oːn/

📖 Meaning of 'die Lektion'

The German word die Lektion (feminine) primarily has two meanings:

• Lesson / Teaching Unit: A distinct part of learning material covered in a specific time (e.g., a school period, a chapter in a textbook). 🧑‍🏫 Example: Die heutige Lektion behandelt die unregelmäßigen Verben. (Today's lesson covers the irregular verbs.)
• Lesson (learned) / Comeuppance: An (often unpleasant) experience from which one learns or should learn something. 💡 Sometimes meant as a warning or punishment. Example: Das war ihm eine teure Lektion! (That was an expensive lesson for him!)

There are no other articles for this word; it's always feminine.

📐 Grammar Corner: 'die Lektion'

The noun 'Lektion' is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences 📝

1. Die erste Lektion beginnt um 8 Uhr. (The first lesson starts at 8 o'clock.)
2. Der Inhalt der Lektion war sehr interessant. (The content of the lesson was very interesting.)
3. Ich konnte der Lektion gut folgen. (I could follow the lesson well.)
4. Hast du die Lektion verstanden? (Did you understand the lesson?)
5. Die nächsten Lektionen fallen aus. (The next lessons are cancelled.)
6. Er erteilte ihm eine bittere Lektion. (He taught him a bitter lesson. - 'Denkzettel' meaning)

🗣️ How to use 'die Lektion'

• In educational contexts: Very common for teaching units in schools, language courses, music lessons (die Klavierlektion - the piano lesson), driving schools (die Fahrlektion - the driving lesson), or in textbooks (Kapitel 3, Lektion 1 - Chapter 3, Lesson 1).
• In a figurative sense: Often used to describe an experience that serves as a learning opportunity (eine Lektion fürs Leben - a lesson for life). Frequently used in the phrase "jemandem eine Lektion erteilen" (to teach someone a lesson, often implying punishment or a rebuke).
• Difference from 'Unterricht': 'Die Lektion' usually refers to a specific, defined unit, while 'der Unterricht' refers more broadly to the teaching process or the class/course as a whole (Der Deutschunterricht findet dienstags statt. - The German class takes place on Tuesdays. Die heutige Lektion war schwierig. - Today's lesson was difficult.).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Lektion'

Article Mnemonic: Many feminine nouns in German end in -ion, like die Lektion, die Station, die Aktion. Remember this common ending to recall that it's die Lektion.

Meaning Mnemonic: 'Lektion' sounds very similar to the English word 'lesson'. Just link the two directly in your mind: Lektion = Lesson. Easy!

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Die Lektüre: Refers to the act of reading or the reading material itself (e.g., a book). Don't confuse it with 'Lektion'.
• Der Lektor / Die Lektorin: A person who edits texts (e.g., for a publishing house).

😂 A little joke

German: Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, warum bist du schon wieder zu spät zur ersten Lektion gekommen?"
Antwortet Fritzchen: "Weil es geläutet hat, bevor ich da war!"

English Translation: The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, why were you late for the first lesson again?"
Fritzchen answers: "Because the bell rang before I got here!"

✍️ A short poem about the 'Lektion'

German:
Die Glocke klingt, die Tür geht auf,
Die Lektion nimmt ihren Lauf.
Mal leicht, mal schwer, was man heut lernt,
Manchmal auch 'ne Lektion fürs Leben gern entfernt.

Doch jede Lektion, ob froh, ob bang,
Bringt uns im Leben ein Stück voran.
Ob aus dem Buch, ob durch 'nen Schmerz,
Sie prägt den Geist und auch das Herz.

English Translation:
The bell rings, the door opens wide,
The lesson starts, nowhere to hide.
Sometimes easy, sometimes hard, what's learned today,
Sometimes a life lesson you wish would go away.

But every lesson, happy or drear,
Moves us forward in life, holds us dear.
Whether from a book or through some pain,
It shapes the mind and heart again.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich bin ein Teil vom Unterricht, mal kurz, mal lang,
Bring Wissen dir und neuen Drang.
Manchmal bin ich auch ein Denkzettel, tut's auch weh,
Damit ein Fehler nicht noch mal gescheh'.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I am part of a class, sometimes short, sometimes long,
Bringing knowledge to you and a new urge along.
Sometimes I'm a sharp reminder, even if it hurts,
So that a mistake doesn't reoccur.

What am I? (Answer: die Lektion / the lesson)

🧩 Other Information

• Etymology: The word 'Lektion' comes from the Latin word lectio, meaning 'reading', 'lecture', or 'selection'.
• Compound Words: 'Lektion' can be part of compound words, e.g.: die Musiklektion (music lesson), die Fahrlektion (driving lesson), die Geschichtslektion (history lesson), der Lektionsplan (lesson plan).