das  Bundesgesetz

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbʊndəsɡəˌzɛts/

📜 What does "das Bundesgesetz" mean?

The word Bundesgesetz is a neuter noun, so its article is das. It translates to federal law or federal statute in English.

Specifically, it refers to a law that applies to the entire territory of a federal state (like the Federal Republic of Germany or Austria). It is passed by the federal legislature (e.g., the Bundestag and Bundesrat in Germany) and ranks higher than state laws (Landesgesetze) in the legal hierarchy.

It's a compound noun formed from:

• Bund (meaning federation or federal state)
• Gesetz (meaning law)

⚠️ Important: Don't confuse it with a Landesgesetz, which is a state law valid only within a specific federal state (Bundesland).

📚 Grammar Deep Dive: Das Bundesgesetz

The noun "Bundesgesetz" is neuter. The definite article is das.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Das neue Bundesgesetz tritt morgen in Kraft.
   (The new federal law comes into effect tomorrow.)
2. Der Bundestag debattierte lange über dieses Bundesgesetz.
   (The federal parliament debated this federal law for a long time.)
3. Die Einhaltung der Bundesgesetze ist für alle Bürger verpflichtend.
   (Compliance with federal laws is mandatory for all citizens.)
4. Im Genitiv heißt es korrekt: "die Regelungen des Bundesgesetzes".
   (In the genitive case, it is correctly: "the regulations of the federal law".)

🗣️ How "Bundesgesetz" is Used

The term Bundesgesetz is primarily used in legal and political contexts.

• Context: Legislation, jurisdiction, political debates at the federal level, administrative regulations, news reports.
• Distinction: It's crucial to differentiate das Bundesgesetz (federal law) from das Landesgesetz (state law). While federal laws apply throughout the federal state, state laws are restricted to the respective federal state (Bundesland), e.g., school laws.
• Typical Collocations: Ein Bundesgesetz beschließen (to pass), verabschieden (to enact), ändern (to amend), aufheben (to repeal), anwenden (to apply), auslegen (to interpret); gegen ein Bundesgesetz verstoßen (to violate).
• Example: The German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch, BGB) is a key Bundesgesetz in Germany.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of Gesetz (law) itself – it's das Gesetz. When it applies to the whole federation (Bund), it stays neuter: das Bundesgesetz. Imagine "das rulebook for das whole federation".

Meaning Mnemonic: The Bund (federation) makes the Gesetze (laws) for everyone – it's a Bundesgesetz (federal law).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Potential Confusion: Be careful not to mix up Bundesgesetz with Grundgesetz (Basic Law, the German constitution), although the Grundgesetz itself is technically a special type of federal law.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum sind Bundesgesetze manchmal so kompliziert?

Damit Anwälte auch etwas zu tun haben und nicht nur Paragraphen reiten! 😉

(Why are federal laws sometimes so complicated?
So that lawyers also have something to do and don't just ride paragraphs! [German idiom for being overly pedantic about rules])

📜 A Little Poem

Von Flensburg bis nach Garmisch weit,
Gilt es für alle, jederzeit.
Beschlossen mit Bedacht und Sinn,
Steht's im Gesetzblatt mittendrin.
Der Bund hat es für uns gemacht,
Das Bundesgesetz, bei Tag und Nacht.

(From Flensburg down to Garmisch wide,
It applies to all, side by side.
Decided with thought and sense keen,
In the Federal Gazette it's seen.
The Federation made it for our plight,
The federal law, by day and night.)

🧩 Who or What am I?

Ich werde in Berlin oft heiß diskutiert,
Und vom Bundespräsidenten dann signiert.
Ich gelte im ganzen Land, für jeden Ort,
Bin mehr als nur ein einzelnes Wort.
Vom Bund gemacht, für alle gleich,
Ich stehe über jedem Landesbereich.

(I am often hotly debated in Berlin,
And then signed by the Federal President, where I begin.
I apply throughout the country, in every place,
More than just a single word's space.
Made by the federation, equal for all,
I stand above every state's call.)

Solution: das Bundesgesetz (the federal law)

✨ Other Interesting Details

Word Composition:

• Bund: Refers to the federal level of a state (Bundesrepublik).
• Gesetz: Means law or statute.

Together, the meaning is: A law applicable at the federal level.

Trivia:

• In Germany, federal laws (Bundesgesetze) are promulgated (officially announced) in the Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt - BGBl.). Only after promulgation can they come into force.
• Legislative competence (who is allowed to make laws) is divided between the federation (Bund) and the states (Länder) in the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz). There are areas of exclusive federal legislation (e.g., currency, foreign policy) and areas of concurrent legislation (states can only legislate as long as and to the extent that the federation has not exercised its competence).