die
Nachhilfe
📚 What does Nachhilfe mean?
Die Nachhilfe refers to additional, usually private instruction that helps pupils or students to better understand learning material, close knowledge gaps, or prepare for exams. It serves to supplement or deepen the regular lessons.
It's a form of Hilfe (help) that takes place nach (after) the actual lessons, hence the name 'Nach-hilfe'.
🚨 This word only takes the article die. It is always feminine.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar of Nachhilfe in Detail
The word 'Nachhilfe' is a feminine noun. It is mostly used in the singular form.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Nachhilfe |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Nachhilfe |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Nachhilfe |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Nachhilfe |
Declension Plural
The plural 'die Nachhilfen' is rather uncommon and refers to different types of tutoring services or many individual tutoring sessions.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Nachhilfen |
| Genitive | der | Nachhilfen |
| Dative | den | Nachhilfen |
| Accusative | die | Nachhilfen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Wegen seiner schlechten Noten in Mathe braucht Jonas dringend Nachhilfe.
(Because of his bad grades in math, Jonas urgently needs tutoring.) - Meine ältere Schwester gibt Nachhilfe in Englisch.
(My older sister gives tutoring in English.) - Die Schule bietet kostenlose Nachhilfe für förderbedürftige Schüler an.
(The school offers free tutoring for students in need of support.) - Ohne die intensive Nachhilfe hätte ich die Prüfung nicht bestanden.
(Without the intensive tutoring, I wouldn't have passed the exam.)
💡 How to use Nachhilfe?
'Nachhilfe' is used in the context of education and learning. Here are some typical phrases:
- Nachhilfe geben: To give tutoring / to tutor someone. Example: Viele Studenten geben Nachhilfe, um Geld zu verdienen. (Many students give tutoring to earn money.)
- Nachhilfe nehmen/bekommen: To receive tutoring / to get tutored. Example: Sie nimmt Nachhilfe in Französisch. (She takes tutoring in French.)
- Nachhilfe brauchen/benötigen: To need tutoring. Example: Er braucht Nachhilfe, um den Anschluss nicht zu verlieren. (He needs tutoring so he doesn't fall behind.)
- zur Nachhilfe gehen: To go to tutoring (regularly). Example: Mittwochs gehe ich immer zur Mathe-Nachhilfe. (On Wednesdays, I always go to math tutoring.)
Unlike Förderunterricht (remedial classes), which is often organized by the school, Nachhilfe is frequently organized privately and involves payment.
🧠 Mnemonics for Nachhilfe
Article Mnemonic: Think of die Hilfe (the help). Nachhilfe is a specific type of help, and both words are feminine. Nachhilfe is die (the) extra help you get.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word is composed of Nach- (after) and -hilfe (help). So, it's the help that comes after the normal lesson to help you catch up or understand better.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar meaning):
- Stützunterricht: (Support lessons) Often used in a school context.
- Förderunterricht: (Remedial classes) Similar to Stützunterricht, often focused on specific weaknesses.
- Privatunterricht: (Private lessons) Can be Nachhilfe, but also lessons out of interest (e.g., piano lessons).
- Zusatzunterricht: (Additional lessons) General term for lessons outside the normal schedule.
Antonyms (Opposite meaning):
- Regelunterricht: (Regular lessons) The normal classes at school/university.
- Selbststudium / Selbstlernen: (Self-study) Learning without external help.
- (No direct antonym like 'anti-tutoring' exists)
⚠️ Similar but different words:
- Hausaufgabenhilfe: (Homework help) Focuses specifically on doing homework, not necessarily on a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
- Mentoring: Broader support, often professional or personal, not just academic subjects.
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Lehrer: „Wer kann mir sagen, was sieben mal neun ist?“ Meldet sich Fritzchen: „63!“ Sagt der Lehrer: „Richtig! Und wer kann mir sagen, was neun mal sieben ist?“ Meldet sich wieder Fritzchen: „Das ist 36!“ Der Lehrer schüttelt den Kopf: „Falsch, das ist auch 63!“ Darauf Fritzchen: „Aber Sie haben doch eben gesagt, sieben mal neun ist 63! Das kann doch nicht dasselbe sein, sonst bräuchte ich ja keine Nachhilfe!“
English Translation: The teacher asks, "Who can tell me what seven times nine is?" Little Fritz raises his hand: "63!" The teacher says, "Correct! And who can tell me what nine times seven is?" Fritz raises his hand again: "That's 36!" The teacher shakes his head: "Wrong, that's also 63!" Fritz replies: "But you just said seven times nine is 63! They can't be the same, otherwise I wouldn't need tutoring!"
📜 Poem about Tutoring (Nachhilfe)
German:
Die Schule schwer, der Stoff komplex,
die Noten schlecht, ein wahrer Schreck.
Doch Rettung naht, ganz ohne Frage,
mit Nachhilfe für bessere Tage.
Ob Mathe, Deutsch, Chemie, Physik,
sie hilft zurück zu gutem Glück.
Ein Lehrer sitzt, erklärt geduldig,
bis Wissen sitzt, und nicht mehr schuldig.
So wird gelernt, was einst verpasst,
die Prüfung kommt, man ist nicht blass.
Dank Nachhilfe, mit Fleiß und Zeit,
ist gute Leistung nicht mehr weit!
English Translation:
School is hard, the subject's complex,
The grades are bad, a real life wreck.
But rescue nears, no doubt, no fear,
With tutoring for better days so dear.
Be it Math, German, Chem or Physics' light,
It helps you back to fortunes bright.
A teacher sits, explains with care,
Till knowledge sticks, beyond compare.
So learn what once was left behind,
The test arrives, you're calm of mind.
Thanks to tutoring, with time and drive,
Good performance soon will thrive!
❓ Riddle
German:
Ich komme oft, wenn Noten fallen,
und helfe dir beim Lernen, Knallen!
Ich koste meistens etwas Geld,
doch mach dich fit für diese Welt.
Bin nach der Schule für dich da,
verjage Wissenslücken, ja!
Was bin ich? ... Die Nachhilfe
English Translation:
I often come when grades descend,
And help you learn, my struggling friend!
I usually cost a little fee,
But make you fit for what will be.
I'm there for you when school is done,
Chasing knowledge gaps till there are none!
What am I? ... Tutoring (Die Nachhilfe)
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word 'Nachhilfe' is a compound noun, composed of:
- Nach-: A prefix indicating a temporal sequence ('after class') or a supplementary character.
- Hilfe: The noun for 'help' or 'assistance'.
Literally: 'After-help'.
Cultural Context:
Nachhilfe is a widespread phenomenon in Germany, especially in higher grades and before important final exams (like Mittlere Reife or Abitur). There is a large market for private tutors and tutoring institutes (Nachhilfeinstitute).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Nachhilfe?
The German word Nachhilfe is feminine. The correct article is die. So you always say die Nachhilfe (in the nominative case). It refers to tutoring or extra lessons aimed at improving academic performance in school or university.