Schüler

Schüler is a German noun used for a person who attends a school, typically at the primary or secondary level. In everyday usage, the term refers to learners who are not enrolled in higher education, and it contrasts with Student or Studierender, which are used for university students.

Der Schüler is masculine singular; die Schülerin is feminine singular. Plural forms are die Schüler for groups of male students or mixed gender, and die Schülerinnen for all-female groups. In many contexts, writers use the combined form Schülerinnen und Schüler to emphasize inclusivity.

Schüler covers a wide age range, roughly from early primary school through secondary education, depending on the country. In Germany, terms like Grundschüler (primary school pupil) and Sekundarschüler (secondary school pupil) are common. The term can also appear in official language in school descriptions, curricula, and media.

Although used across German-speaking countries, there are regional differences in phrasing and usage. In Austria and parts of Switzerland, Schüler is widely used similarly to Germany. In formal writing, Schülerinnen und Schüler is often used to ensure gender inclusivity.