das
Gerichtsurteil
📜 What exactly is a Gerichtsurteil?
A Gerichtsurteil (article: das) is the final, legally binding decision of a court in a lawsuit or criminal proceeding. Es verkündet, wie der Fall entschieden wurde (It announces how the case was decided), who is right, or what sentence is imposed.
Es handelt sich um ein zusammengesetztes Substantiv (It is a compound noun):
Since the base word "das Urteil" is neuter (sächlich), "das Gerichtsurteil" is also neuter.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Ge- → mostly neutral.
Nouns beginning with Ge- are usually neutral, unless other rules apply. We do not list all Ge nouns.
🧐 Grammar Under the Microscope: Declension of "das Gerichtsurteil"
"Das Gerichtsurteil" is a neuter noun and follows the strong declension pattern.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Gerichtsurteil |
| Genitive | des | Gerichtsurteils / Gerichtsurteiles |
| Dative | dem | Gerichtsurteil |
| Accusative | das | Gerichtsurteil |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gerichtsurteile |
| Genitive | der | Gerichtsurteile |
| Dative | den | Gerichtsurteilen |
| Accusative | die | Gerichtsurteile |
📝 Example Sentences
- Das Gerichtsurteil wurde gestern verkündet.
(The court verdict was announced yesterday.) - Die Rechtskraft des Gerichtsurteils tritt nach Ablauf der Frist ein.
(The legal validity of the court verdict takes effect after the deadline expires.) - Man muss sich dem Gerichtsurteil beugen.
(One must submit to the court verdict.) - Er akzeptierte das Gerichtsurteil nicht und legte Berufung ein.
(He did not accept the court verdict and filed an appeal.) - Die Gerichtsurteile der letzten Jahre wurden analysiert.
(The court verdicts of recent years were analyzed.) - Die Begründungen der Gerichtsurteile waren komplex.
(The justifications of the court verdicts were complex.) - Die Anwälte arbeiteten mit den Gerichtsurteilen weiter.
(The lawyers continued working with the court verdicts.) - Der Professor sammelt wichtige Gerichtsurteile.
(The professor collects important court verdicts.)
🗣️ When and How to Use "Gerichtsurteil"?
The term "Gerichtsurteil" is primarily used in legal and formal contexts. Es bezeichnet die offizielle Entscheidung eines Gerichts (It denotes the official decision of a court).
- Formal Language: In news reports, legal documents, juridical discussions.
- Distinction: A Beschluss (order, decision) is another type of court decision, often on procedural matters, whereas the Urteil concludes the legal dispute. A Vergleich (settlement) is an agreement between the parties, often recorded by the court, but not a verdict in the strict sense.
- Colloquial Use: In everyday life, one might rather speak of "der Entscheidung des Gerichts" (the court's decision) or simply "dem Urteil" (the verdict/judgment), if the context is clear.
Typical verbs associated with "Gerichtsurteil": fällen (to pass/deliver), verkünden (to announce), aufheben (to overturn/quash), anfechten (to appeal/contest), akzeptieren (to accept), respektieren (to respect), vollstrecken (to enforce).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Aid: The base word is "das Urteil". Like das Resultat (the result) or das Ergebnis (the outcome) of the court proceedings – all neuter! So: das Gerichtsurteil.
Meaning Aid: Imagine the Gericht (court) speaking its final, important word – that's the Urteil (verdict). Together, this forms the final decision: das Gerichtsurteil.
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms for Gerichtsurteil
👍 Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Das Urteil: Often used synonymously when the context (court) is clear.
- Der Richterspruch: Emphasizes the judge's role (judge's pronouncement).
- Der Spruch: Shorter, sometimes dated or specific (e.g., arbitration award).
- Die Entscheidung: More general (decision), can also be non-judicial.
- Der Entscheid: Primarily used in Swiss Standard German (decision).
👎 Antonyms/Contrasts (in a broader sense):
- Die Anklage / Die Klage: The charge/indictment or lawsuit; the beginning of the process that might lead to a verdict.
- Die Berufung / Die Revision: The appeal; legal remedy against a verdict, not a direct reversal of content but the next step.
- Der Vergleich: A settlement between parties that replaces a verdict.
- Die Verfahrenseinstellung: Dismissal of proceedings; the case is closed without a verdict being reached.
⚠️ Note: Ein Freispruch (an acquittal) is a specific type of court verdict (in criminal law), not a general antonym.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum brachte der Richter eine Leiter mit ins Gericht?
Damit er ein höheres Urteil fällen konnte! 😉
---
Why did the judge bring a ladder to court?
So he could deliver a higher verdict! (Pun: 'higher' can mean taller or more senior/important)
⚖️ A Little Poem
Im Saale herrscht gespannte Ruh', Der Richter schaut, was ist zu tun? Die Akten schwer, der Streit war lang, Nun endet er mit Urteilsklang.
Das Gerichtsurteil, klar und fest, Gibt manchen recht, manch andern Rest. Es schließt den Fall, bringt endlich Klarheit, Ob Wahrheit siegt, ob nur die Starrheit.
---
In the hall, a tense silence holds sway,
The judge observes, what's to do today?
The files are heavy, the dispute was long,
Now it ends with the verdict's song.
The court verdict, clear and firm,
Gives justice to some, for others a term.
It closes the case, brings clarity at last,
Whether truth wins, or just stubbornness cast.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich komme nach dem Streit zu dir,
bin auf Papier ein wichtig Tier. Was bin ich? --- I come to you after the fight, What am I? Solution: Das Gerichtsurteil (The court verdict)
On paper, I'm a creature of might.
The court conceived me with thought,
And with me, the process to an end is brought.
💡 Trivia / Word Origin
Word Composition: As mentioned, "Gerichtsurteil" is composed of "Gericht" (from Old High German girihti 'court, justice') and "Urteil" (from Old High German urteili 'the divided part, decision').
Significance in the Legal System: Court verdicts (Gerichtsurteile) are fundamental to the rule of law (Rechtsstaat). They create legal certainty (Rechtssicherheit) and are the basis for enforcing rights and obligations. They can often be appealed (Berufung, Revision) until they become legally final ("rechtskräftig").
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Gerichtsurteil?
The word "Gerichtsurteil" is neuter, so the correct article is das. It derives from the neuter base word "das Urteil" (the verdict/judgment) and refers to the final decision made by a court.