das  Gemeinwohl

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈmaɪnvɔl/

🌍 What does "das Gemeinwohl" mean?

Das Gemeinwohl translates to the common good, the public welfare, or the well-being of the community as a whole. It contrasts with individual interests (Individualinteressen) or the interests of specific groups (Partikularinteressen). It's a central concept in politics, ethics, and social sciences.

It is an abstract noun (abstraktes Substantiv) often used in discussions about societal goals, political decisions, and ethical responsibilities. Striving for das Gemeinwohl is often considered a key task of the state and its institutions.

⚠️ As an abstract concept, it's almost exclusively used in the singular.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar of "das Gemeinwohl" in Detail

The word "Gemeinwohl" is a neuter noun (sächlich). It is normally used without a plural form because it describes an abstract concept. Here is the declension in the singular:

Note: The Genitive and Dative forms ending in "-es" and "-e" respectively are less common and considered more formal or slightly archaic.

Example Sentences:

1. Politiker sollten stets das Gemeinwohl im Blick haben. (Politicians should always keep the common good in mind.) - Accusative
2. Die Entscheidung wurde zum Wohle des Gemeinwohls getroffen. (The decision was made for the benefit of the common good.) - Genitive
3. Unser Handeln dient dem Gemeinwohl. (Our actions serve the common good.) - Dative
4. Das Gemeinwohl ist ein hohes Gut in einer Demokratie. (The common good is a high value in a democracy.) - Nominative

🗣️ How is "das Gemeinwohl" used?

The term "das Gemeinwohl" is mainly used in formal contexts, particularly in:

• Political debates: Discussions about laws, social policy, environmental protection, etc. (e.g., "Steuererhöhungen dienen dem Gemeinwohl." - Tax increases serve the common good.)
• Ethical and philosophical discourses: Deliberations on social responsibility and values.
• Legal texts: Constitutions or laws may refer to das Gemeinwohl.
• Social science analyses: Studies of societal structures and goals.

It's a rather formal term (gehobener Begriff). In everyday language, people might more likely talk about "dem Wohl aller" (the well-being of everyone) or "dem Nutzen für die Gemeinschaft" (the benefit for the community), although "Gemeinwohl" is more precise.

Distinction from similar terms:

• Gemeinnutz (public benefit/charity): Similar, but often more specific to organizations or activities serving the common good (gemeinnützige Vereine - non-profit organizations).
• Allgemeinwohl (general welfare): Synonymous with Gemeinwohl.
• Eigennutz/Partikularinteresse (self-interest/particular interest): The opposite of Gemeinwohl, denoting the interest of individuals or specific groups.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Gemeinwohl"

1. For the article (das): Think of "das Wohl" (the well-being). The word "Wohl" is neuter (sächlich), and "Gemeinwohl" incorporates it. So: das Wohl -> das Gemeinwohl. Also, abstract concepts often take 'das'.
2. For the meaning (common good): Imagine a gemeinschaft (community) sharing one big, cozy "Wohl"-being feeling – that's the Gemeinwohl, the well-being for everyone together.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A little joke

Fragt ein Bürger den Politiker: "Was tun Sie eigentlich konkret für das Gemeinwohl?"Antwortet der Politiker: "Ich sorge dafür, dass es immer etwas gibt, worüber sich die Allgemeinheit gemeinsam aufregen kann! Das schweißt zusammen!"

Translation:A citizen asks a politician: "What exactly do you do for the common good (das Gemeinwohl)?"The politician replies: "I make sure there's always something the public can get commonly (gemeinsam) upset about! That builds unity!" (Pun uses 'gemein' which can mean 'common' but also 'mean/nasty')

📜 A poem about the common good

Nicht nur das Ich, nicht nur das Mein,
soll uns’res Handelns Triebfeder sein.
Das große Ganze, hell und froh,
das Gemeinwohl macht uns ebenso.

Für alle da, nicht nur für mich,
ein Netz, das hält, ganz sicherlich.
In Staat und Stadt, in Land und Bund,
hält es Gesellschaft erst gesund.

Translation:Not just the I, not just the mine,
should be our action's driving line.
The greater whole, bright and with glee,
the common good makes us so, you see.

For everyone, not just for me,
a net that holds, most certainly.
In state and city, country bound,
it keeps society truly sound.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich gehöre allen, doch keinem allein.
Man dient mir oft, doch fassen kann man mich schwerlich – ich bin eher Schein.
Politiker reden viel von mir,
im Gegensatz zum Eigennutz steh’ ich hier.

Was bin ich?

Translation:I belong to everyone, but to no one alone.
I am often served, yet hard to grasp – I am more like a notion shown.
Politicians talk a lot about me,
In contrast to self-interest, here I stand free.

What am I?(Solution: das Gemeinwohl / the common good)

💡 More Interesting Facts

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung): The word "Gemeinwohl" is composed of:

• gemein: Here in its older meaning of "general", "common", "communal" (not the modern negative meaning of "mean" or "nasty").
• Wohl: Well-being, benefit, prosperity, good.

So, literally: "the communal well-being".

Conceptual History: The concept has a long philosophical tradition dating back to antiquity (e.g., Plato's and Aristotle's ideas about the good of the polis).