# School in Esperanto – subjects, supplies, lerni vs studi

Source: https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/school-education/
Language: en
Updated: 2026-10-11

> School is lernejo, a pupil lernanto, a teacher instruisto: 60 Esperanto school words with pronunciation, plus when to use lerni, studi and instrui.

School in Esperanto is ***lernejo***, built as *lern·ej·o*, "learn" plus "place": a place meant for learning. A pupil is a ***lernanto***, a teacher an ***instruisto***, and the three key verbs are ***lerni*** "to learn", ***instrui*** "to teach" and ***studi*** "to study". Three traps are worth knowing: *studento* means a university student, *profesoro* means a university professor, and *lerni* is not the verb for "to find out". Pronunciation guides split words into syllables, with the stressed syllable in capitals.

## Kinds of schools

Names and ages of school levels differ from country to country, so the reference dictionary ReVo defines them by their place in the sequence and gives age ranges that depend on the country.

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| school | *lernejo* | ler-NE-jo | any place for learning |
| kindergarten | *infanĝardeno* | in-fan-ĝar-DE-no | children up to about 5, before primary school |
| primary school | *bazlernejo* | baz-ler-NE-jo | also *elementa lernejo*; from about 6 up to 10 or 15 |
| secondary school | *mezlernejo* | mez-ler-NE-jo | from 11 or older up to 18 |
| grammar school, high school | *gimnazio*, *liceo* | gim-na-ZI-o, li-CE-o | secondary school, organised differently in each country |
| higher school | *supera lernejo* | su-PE-ra ler-NE-jo | ReVo uses it for universities and academies |
| university | *universitato* | u-ni-ver-si-TA-to | divided into faculties, *fakultatoj* |
| class (pupils of one grade) | *klaso* | KLA-so | *en la kvina klaso* "in the fifth grade" |
| classroom | *klasĉambro* | klas-ĈAM-bro | |
| gym, sports hall | *gimnastikejo* | gim-nas-ti-KE-jo | |

English "college" has no single match. ReVo defines *kolegio* as an institute or faculty and lists it beside *gimnazio* and *liceo* as a possible secondary school, so for precision say *universitato*, *fakultato* or *mezlernejo*.

## People at school

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| pupil, learner | *lernanto* | ler-NAN-to | anyone who is learning; female *lernantino* |
| university student | *studento* | stu-DEN-to | ReVo: a learner at a higher school |
| classmate | *samklasano* | sam-kla-SA-no | |
| teacher | *instruisto* | in-stru-IS-to | teaches as a job; female *instruistino* |
| professor | *profesoro* | pro-fe-SO-ro | university teacher of high rank |
| head of a school | *lernejestro* | ler-ne-JES-tro | *lern·ej·estr·o*, "school + leader" |
| rector | *rektoro* | rek-TO-ro | head of a university; ReVo also uses it for a *gimnazio* |

Two false friends need care. For a child at school, ReVo's usage note recommends *lernanto*, not *studento*. And ReVo marks the sense *profesoro* has in Romance-language countries, a primary or secondary school teacher, as misleading internationally and to be avoided in Esperanto. A school teacher is an *instruisto*; more work words are on the [jobs and work](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/jobs-work/) page.

## School subjects

A school subject is a *fako* "branch" of knowledge, and a ReVo example under *fako* calls school subjects ***lernofakoj***. Languages are named with an adjective: *la angla* "English", *la franca* "French".

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| mathematics | *matematiko* | ma-te-ma-TI-ko | |
| history | *historio* | his-to-RI-o | |
| geography | *geografio* | ge-o-gra-FI-o | |
| physics | *fiziko* | fi-ZI-ko | |
| chemistry | *ĥemio*, *kemio* | ĥe-MI-o, ke-MI-o | ReVo lists both; PMEG says words with Ĥ often have a K variant |
| biology | *biologio* | bi-o-lo-GI-o | |
| language | *lingvo* | LIN-gvo | *fremda lingvo* "foreign language" |
| literature | *literaturo* | li-te-ra-TU-ro | |
| music | *muziko* | mu-ZI-ko | |
| art | *arto* | AR-to | *desegni* "to draw" |
| sports | *sporto* | SPOR-to | also *gimnastiko* "gymnastics" |

## School supplies and the -il- suffix

PMEG describes the suffix *-il-* as "instrument, apparatus, means": what stands before it shows the action. So *skribi* "to write" gives ***skribilo***, any tool for writing. Plain roots such as *libro*, *kajero* and *krajono* take no *-il-*.

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| book | *libro* | LI-bro | |
| textbook | *lernolibro* | ler-no-LI-bro | "book for learners" |
| notebook | *kajero* | ka-JE-ro | |
| pencil | *krajono* | kra-JO-no | |
| pen, writing tool | *skribilo* | skri-BI-lo | from *skribi* |
| eraser | *gumo*, *skrapgumo* | GU-mo, skrap-GU-mo | ReVo: one meaning of *gumo* is *skrapgumo* |
| pencil sharpener | *pintigilo* | pin-ti-GI-lo | from *pintigi* "to sharpen" |
| ruler | *liniilo* | li-ni-I-lo | tool for drawing lines |
| calculator | *kalkulilo* | kal-ku-LI-lo | from *kalkuli* |
| blackboard | *skribtabulo*, *tabulo* | skrib-ta-BU-lo, ta-BU-lo | ReVo: write with chalk on the black *tabulo* |
| chalk | *kreto* | KRE-to | |
| desk | *pupitro* | pu-PI-tro | ReVo's example: a pupil's desk |
| school bag | *tornistro* | tor-NIS-tro | rigid backpack; *dorsosako* is a plain backpack |

## Lessons, homework and exams

| English | Esperanto | Pronunciation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| timetable | *horaro* | ho-RA-ro | *lerneja horaro* "school timetable" |
| lesson | *leciono* | le-ci-O-no | part of a course |
| course | *kurso* | KUR-so | a series of lessons |
| homework | *hejmtasko* | hejm-TAS-ko | |
| exam | *ekzameno* | ek-za-ME-no | |
| grade, mark | *noto* | NO-to | ReVo: the sign for a teacher's assessment |
| diploma | *diplomo* | di-PLO-mo | |
| break | *paŭzo* | PAŬ-zo | |

## Verbs for learning, teaching and exams

| Esperanto | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| *lerni* | LER-ni | to learn | *Mi lernas naĝi.* – "I am learning to swim." |
| *instrui* | in-STRU-i | to teach | *Mia patrino instruas la francan.* – "My mother teaches French." |
| *studi* | STU-di | to study | *Mia fratino studas fizikon.* – "My sister studies physics." |
| *ekzameni* | ek-za-ME-ni | to examine, test someone | *La instruisto ekzamenas la lernantojn.* – "The teacher is examining the pupils." |
| *ekzameniĝi*, *fari ekzamenon* | ek-za-me-NI-ĝi, FA-ri ek-za-ME-non | to take an exam | *Morgaŭ mi ekzameniĝos.* – "Tomorrow I take my exam." |
| *trapasi ekzamenon* | tra-PA-si ek-za-ME-non | to pass an exam | *Ŝi trapasis la ekzamenon.* – "She passed the exam." |
| *diplomiĝi* | di-plo-MI-ĝi | to graduate | *Mia fratino diplomiĝos en Junio.* – "My sister will graduate in June." |

## Learn, study or teach: lerni, studi, instrui

ReVo defines *lerni* as taking in knowledge and routines from science, art, craft or sport, and also as gaining knowledge through experience. It defines *studi* as working diligently, through courses, reading and exercises, to gain deep knowledge of a field. *Instrui* is to pass knowledge on: *instrui ion al iu* or *instrui iun pri io*.

| English | Esperanto | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| I am learning Esperanto. | *Mi lernas Esperanton.* | *lerni* picks up a language or skill |
| I study physics at university. | *Mi studas fizikon en la universitato.* | *studi* a field, as a course of study |
| I teach Esperanto. | *Mi instruas Esperanton.* | *instrui* gives knowledge |
| I found out that the school is closing. | *Mi eksciis, ke la lernejo fermiĝos.* | *ekscii* "to find out" |

The two learner verbs overlap. For a language, both *Mi lernas Esperanton* and *Mi studas Esperanton* are correct; the second stresses a deliberate course of study. Typical slips:

| Common slip | Better | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| *Mi instruas Esperanton* (meaning "I learn") | *Mi lernas Esperanton* | *instrui* is "to teach" |
| *Mia filino estas studento en la bazlernejo* | *Mia filino estas lernanto en la bazlernejo* | *studento* is university level |
| *Mi lernis, ke li foriris* ("I learned that he left") | *Mi eksciis, ke li foriris* | ReVo says to avoid *lerni* as a stand-in for "find out" |
| *Mi ekzamenas hodiaŭ* (meaning "I have an exam") | *Mi ekzameniĝas hodiaŭ* or *Mi faras ekzamenon hodiaŭ* | *ekzameni* means to examine someone |

## Talking about school

| Esperanto | English |
|---|---|
| *En kiu klaso vi estas?* | Which grade are you in? |
| *Kion vi studas?* | What are you studying? |
| *Kion vi lernas en la lernejo?* | What do you learn at school? |
| *Kiu estas via plej ŝatata lernofako?* | What is your favourite subject? |
| *Mi havas ekzamenon morgaŭ.* | I have an exam tomorrow. |
| *Mi devas lerni por la ekzameno.* | I have to study for the exam. |
| *Mi ricevis bonan noton pri historio.* | I got a good grade in history. |
| *Ĉu vi jam faris la hejmtaskon?* | Have you already done the homework? |
| *La leciono komenciĝas je la oka.* | The lesson starts at eight. |
| *Dum la paŭzo ni ludas en la korto.* | During the break we play in the yard. |
| *Mi iras al la lernejo per buso.* | I go to school by bus. |

## School words from word parts

| Suffix | Meaning (PMEG) | School examples |
|---|---|---|
| *-ej-* | a place meant for something | *lernejo* "school", *gimnastikejo* "gym" |
| *-ant-* | the person doing the action | *lernanto* "pupil", *ekzamenanto* "examiner" |
| *-ist-* | a person often busy with it, perhaps as a job | *instruisto* "teacher", *ekzamenisto* "official examiner" |
| *-il-* | instrument, means | *skribilo* "pen", *lernilo* "learning aid" |

*Instruanto* is anyone who is teaching now, *instruisto* teaches as a job; compare [suffixes](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/suffixes/), [word building](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/word-building/) and [participles](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/participles/). The suffix *-iĝ-* "become" gives *diplom·iĝ·i*, literally "to come to hold a diploma". To learn Esperanto itself, start with the [learning guide](https://esperantopedia.org/learn/); the [exams page](https://esperantopedia.org/learn/exams/) covers the KER certificate exams.

## Common questions

### How do you say "school" in Esperanto?

*Lernejo*. Use *en la lernejo* for "at school" and *al la lernejo* for "to school": *Mi estas en la lernejo*, *Mi iras al la lernejo*.

### What is the difference between lerni and studi?

*Lerni* is to take in knowledge or a skill: *lerni naĝi*. *Studi* is to work through a field in depth, as in a university course: *studi fizikon*. For a language both are used, so *Mi lernas Esperanton* and *Mi studas Esperanton* are both correct; *instrui* is "to teach".

### What is the difference between lernanto and studento?

*Lernanto* is anyone who is learning, and the right word for a child at school. *Studento* is a learner at a university or academy.

### How do you say "I have an exam tomorrow"?

*Mi havas ekzamenon morgaŭ.* To take the exam, say *ekzameniĝi* or *fari ekzamenon*; to pass it, *trapasi ekzamenon*.

### How do you say "high school" and "college"?

For high school use *mezlernejo*, *gimnazio* or *liceo*. For college, choose *universitato*, *fakultato* or *supera lernejo* by meaning.

## Sources

- ReVo: [lernejo, bazlernejo, mezlernejo, lernanto, lerni, lernilo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/lern.html), [instrui](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/instru.html), [studi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/stud.html), [studento](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/studen.html), [ekzameni, ekzameno, ekzameniĝi, ekzamenisto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/ekzame.html), [diplomo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/diplom.html), [klaso](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/klas.html), [leciono](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/lecion.html), [profesoro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/profes1.html), [universitato](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/univer2.html)
- ReVo: [gimnazio](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/gimnaz.html), [liceo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/lice.html), [kolegio](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kolegi.html), [rektoro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/rektor.html), [infanĝardeno](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/gxarde.html), [fako](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/fak.html), [ĥemio, kemio](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/hxemi.html), [matematiko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/matema.html), [geografio](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/geogra1.html), [historio](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/histor.html), [gimnastiko, gimnastikejo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/gimnas1.html), [klasĉambro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/cxambr.html), [fiziko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/fizik.html), [biologio](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/biolog1.html), [lingvo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/lingv.html), [literaturo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/litera.html), [muziko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/muzik.html), [sporto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sport.html), [arto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/art.html), [desegni](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/desegn.html)
- ReVo: [kajero](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kajer.html), [krajono](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/krajon.html), [skribilo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/skrib.html), [gumo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/gum.html), [tabulo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/tabul.html), [kreto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kret.html), [pupitro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/pupitr.html), [liniilo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/lini.html), [kalkulilo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kalkul.html), [pintigi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/pint.html), [tornistro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/tornis.html), [dorsosako](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sak.html), [horaro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/hor.html), [hejmtasko](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/task.html), [noto](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/not.html), [ekscii](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sci.html)
- PMEG: [EJ](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/ej.html), [IL](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/il.html), [IST](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/ist.html), [ESTR](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/estr.html), [AN](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/an.html), [IĜ](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/vortfarado/afiksoj/sufiksoj/igh.html), [Participoj kiel O-vortoj](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/gramatiko/participoj/o-vortoj.html), [Bazaj reguloj de elparolo](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/skribo_elparolo/elparolo/bazaj_reguloj.html)
- Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0: [diplomiĝi](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/diplomi%C4%9Di)
- Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, usage checked against sentences [#558938](https://tatoeba.org/en/sentences/show/558938), [#597790](https://tatoeba.org/en/sentences/show/597790), [#552655](https://tatoeba.org/en/sentences/show/552655), [#561521](https://tatoeba.org/en/sentences/show/561521)