Lehre

Lehre is a German noun with several related meanings, including apprenticeship, teaching, and doctrine. In everyday language, it most commonly refers to a vocational training path, especially within the dual education system used in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland.

In the apprenticeship sense, a Lehre combines on-the-job training with part-time vocational schooling to qualify for a recognized profession. The program length typically ranges from about two to four years, depending on the occupation. Training is usually overseen by employers’ associations and professional chambers (such as IHK or HWK) and is governed by national education and labor laws. Successful graduates obtain an official certificate or journeyman status, enabling entry to the labor market and, in many cases, further qualification as a master craftsman or technician.

The term Lehre also denotes the act or process of teaching. In this sense, it refers to instruction given by a teacher or the body of instruction in a subject or field. Phrases such as “die Lehre eines Lehrers” or “die Lehre der Wissenschaft” illustrate this use, which is common in educational and academic contexts.

In religious, philosophical, or institutional contexts, Lehre denotes a defined set of beliefs or teachings associated with a school, church, or movement. Examples include “christliche Lehre” or “Marxistische Lehre,” referring to the canonical doctrine or creed of a particular tradition.

Overall, Lehre is a versatile term in German, central to vocational training, pedagogy, and doctrinal discourse, with meanings that vary by context.