das  Emirat

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/eˈmiːʁat/

📜 What exactly is an Emirat?

The German word das Emirat (noun, neuter) refers to:

• The territory or state ruled by an emir: An Emir is an Islamic title of nobility or rank. An Emirat is therefore the land or territory over which an Emir rules.
• The dignity or office of an emir: Less commonly, it can also describe the position or rank of an Emir itself.

It's a specific form of monarchy, predominantly found in the Arab world. 🗺️

🚨 There is only one article for this word: das. Confusion with other forms of government or titles is possible, but 'Emirat' has a clear, specific meaning.

📚 Grammar Spotlight: Das Emirat

The noun "Emirat" is neuter. It is used with the article das.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences ✍️

1. Das Emirat Katar ist reich an Erdgas.
   (The emirate of Qatar is rich in natural gas.)
2. Die Geschichte des Emirates reicht weit zurück.
   (The history of the emirate goes way back.)
3. Wir reisen in das Emirat Dubai.
   (We are travelling to the emirate of Dubai.)
4. Viele Touristen besuchen die Emirate am Persischen Golf.
   (Many tourists visit the emirates on the Persian Gulf.)
5. In den Emiraten gelten oft andere Gesetze.
   (Different laws often apply in the emirates.)

🗣️ How to use "das Emirat"?

"Das Emirat" is mainly used in political, geographical, and historical contexts.

• Politics & Geography: When talking about states ruled by an Emir, e.g., the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate - VAE), Qatar (Katar), Kuwait (Kuwait). Example: "Die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate bestehen aus sieben einzelnen Emiraten." (The United Arab Emirates consist of seven individual emirates.)
• History: When describing historical territories in the Islamic world. Example: "Das Emirat von Córdoba war ein bedeutendes Reich im Mittelalter." (The Emirate of Córdoba was an important empire in the Middle Ages.)

Differentiation:

• Königreich (kingdom): Ruled by a king (König) (e.g., das Königreich Saudi-Arabien - the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).
• Sultanat (sultanate): Ruled by a sultan (Sultan) (e.g., das Sultanat Oman - the Sultanate of Oman).
• Republik (republic): State without a monarchical head, often with a president (Präsident) (e.g., die Bundesrepublik Deutschland - the Federal Republic of Germany).

Although all can be monarchies, the ruler's title (Emir, König, Sultan) distinguishes the form of government conceptually. "Das Emirat" is therefore more specific than, for example, "Staat" (state) or "Land" (country/land).

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Emirat"

Here are a couple of memory aids:

For the article 'das': Think of "das neutral territory". Many neutral things in German use the neuter article 'das'. Imagine a neutral flag for das Emirat. Or: EmiraT - the 'T' sound at the end is slightly similar to the 's' in 'das'.

For the meaning: Think "The Emir has a state". This sounds a bit like "Emir-ha-t" → Emirat. It's the state the Emir 'has' (rules).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar, but different words:

• Emir: The ruler himself, not the country. (Masculine: der Emir)
• Botschaft (embassy): The diplomatic representation of a country. (Feminine: die Botschaft)

😂 A little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Wer kann mir ein Emirat nennen?"
Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Meine Tante Mira! Die hat zu Hause das Sagen - ein echtes Eh-Mira-t!"

Translation:
The teacher asks: "Who can name an emirate?"
Little Fritz says: "My Aunt Mira! She's the boss at home - a real Eh-Mira-te!" (A pun on "Emirat" and "Eh, Mira hat..." meaning "Well, Mira has...")

✒️ A short Poem

In Wüstensand, so weit das Land,
Das Emirat, von starker Hand.
Ein Emir herrscht mit Stolz und Rat,
Ein reicher, alter Wüstenstaat.
Paläste glänzen in der Sonn',
Wo einst nur Düne war und Bronn'.

Translation:
In desert sand, so vast the land,
The Emirate, by a strong hand.
An Emir rules with pride and counsel,
A rich, old desert state so full.
Palaces gleam in the sun's ray,
Where once only dune and wellspring lay.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Land, von Sand umgeben oft,
Ein Herrscher, Emir genannt, hat's gehofft,
Zu Reichtum kommen, durch Öl oder Gas.
Mein Artikel im Deutschen ist immer "das".

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am a land, often surrounded by sand,
A ruler, called Emir, had hoped as planned,
To gain riches, through oil or gas.
My article in German is always "das".

What am I?

Solution: das Emirat (the emirate)

✨ Other Interesting Facts

• Word Origin: The word "Emirat" derives from the Arabic word أمير (ʾamīr), meaning "commander", "leader", or "prince". The suffix "-at" often denotes a place or territory.
• Examples of Emirates: The most famous examples are the seven emirates that form the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah), as well as Qatar and Kuwait. Historically, there were many other emirates, such as the Emirate of Granada in Spain.