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noun

die Weiterbildung, -en

further education

Das ist eine Schulung oder ein Kurs, den man nach der Ausbildung oder während der Arbeit macht, um Neues zu lernen oder sich beruflich zu verbessern.

Definition & meaning

The term Weiterbildung refers to the process of continuing one's professional or personal education after completing initial vocational training or university studies. It encompasses structured programs, courses, or self-directed learning designed to update, deepen, or expand existing knowledge and skills.

There are two primary contexts for this term:

  1. Professional development: Training aimed at improving job performance, learning new technologies, or preparing for advancement within a company or industry.
  2. Lifelong learning: A broader concept that includes personal enrichment, such as taking language courses, artistic workshops, or seminars that are not necessarily tied to one's current career path but serve to broaden one's horizon.

Grammar & Word origin

  • Grammar: It is a feminine noun (die) with the plural form die Weiterbildungen.
  • Word origin: It is a compound word derived from:
    • weiter (further/additional)
    • Bildung (education/formation/training), which comes from the verb bilden (to form/to educate).
    • Together, it literally translates to "further education" or "continued formation."

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • die Fortbildung (often used interchangeably, though sometimes refers specifically to mandatory workplace training)
  • die Nachqualifizierung
  • die Schulung
  • das Training
  • die berufliche Qualifizierung

Antonyms:

  • die Erstausbildung (the initial/primary vocational training)
  • das Studium (in the context of initial academic education)
  • der Bildungsstillstand (a state of stagnant education)

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Examples

Sie investiert in ihre Weiterbildung.noun

She invests in her further education.

Weiterbildung ist wichtig für die berufliche Entwicklung.noun

Further education is important for professional development.

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