If you want to know how to say teach in German, the main verb is beibringen or unterrichten. Beibringen means “to teach someone something,” while unterrichten is used for teaching a subject or class. The verb lehren is a more formal or literary “to teach.”
“To teach” in German is often beibringen when you teach someone a skill, and unterrichten when you teach a subject. “I teach German” is Ich unterrichte Deutsch.
How Do You Say Teach in German?
German uses different verbs depending on what is being taught. Use beibringen for teaching a person a skill or fact, and unterrichten for teaching a class or subject. For the learner’s side of the activity, compare lernen, “to learn”.
For example, Ich bringe dir Deutsch bei means “I teach you German,” while Ich unterrichte Deutsch means “I teach German” as a subject.
Meaning: Teach
Different German Verbs for Teach
Choose the verb based on whether you mean personal instruction, classroom teaching, formal teaching, or showing someone how to do something.
1. Beibringen — To Teach Someone
Beibringen is a separable verb. It means to teach someone a skill, language, fact, or method. Ich bringe ihm Schwimmen bei means “I teach him how to swim.”
2. Unterrichten — To Teach a Subject
Unterrichten means to teach or instruct a class or subject. Sie unterrichtet Mathematik means “She teaches mathematics.”
3. Lehren — To Teach Formally
Lehren means “to teach” in a formal, academic, or literary style. It is common in phrases such as Geschichte lehren, “to teach history.”
4. Zeigen — To Show / Teach
Zeigen literally means “to show,” but it can mean “to teach someone how” in a practical situation. Ich zeige dir, wie es geht means “I’ll show you how it works.”
5. Jemandem etwas beibringen — Teach Someone Something
The pattern is jemandem etwas beibringen: teach someone something. The person is in the dative case and the thing taught is the direct object.
Sie bringt den Kindern Deutsch bei means “She teaches the children German.”
Teach in German: Quick Comparison
← Swipe horizontally to see the full table →
| German | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|
| beibringen | to teach someone | Skills, facts, languages |
| unterrichten | to teach a subject | Classes and school subjects |
| lehren | to teach | Formal or academic style |
| zeigen | to show / teach how | Practical demonstration |
| jemandem etwas beibringen | teach someone something | Complete grammar pattern |
How to Pronounce Teach in German
Beibringen is pronounced approximately “BYE-bring-en.” The first part bei sounds like “bye,” and the final en is a light “uhn.”
Unterrichten is approximately “OON-ter-RIKH-ten.” The German ch sound in the middle is made at the back of the mouth.
How to Use Beibringen in a German Sentence
Beibringen is separable in the present tense. The prefix bei moves to the end: Ich bringe dir Deutsch bei.
With a modal verb or an infinitive construction, it stays together: Ich möchte dir Deutsch beibringen, “I would like to teach you German.”
Example Sentences Using Teach in German
Use: Teaching someone a language.
Use: Teaching a school subject.
Use: Asking someone to teach a skill.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teach in German
Tap a question below to see the answer.
How do you say teach in German?
Use beibringen for teaching someone something and unterrichten for teaching a class or subject.
How do you say I teach German?
Say Ich unterrichte Deutsch or Ich bringe jemandem Deutsch bei, depending on whether you mean teaching the subject or a person.
What is the difference between beibringen and unterrichten?
Beibringen takes a person who learns and a thing taught. Unterrichten usually takes a subject or class.
How do you say teach me in German?
Say Bring mir das bei! informally, or Bringen Sie mir das bitte bei formally.
Is lehren common in German?
Lehren is correct and often sounds formal or academic. In everyday speech, beibringen or unterrichten is often more natural.
How do you say teacher in German?
A male teacher is Lehrer, and a female teacher is Lehrerin. A teacher teaches: lehren is the related verb.
Summary: How to Say Teach in German
The main German verbs for teach are beibringen and unterrichten. Use beibringen when teaching someone a skill or fact, and unterrichten when teaching a subject or class.
Lehren is more formal, while zeigen can mean “show someone how.” Remember the common pattern jemandem etwas beibringen.
