das  Mandat

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/manˈdaːt/

📜 What does "das Mandat" mean?

Das Mandat (noun, neuter) refers to an Auftrag (commission, order), an Ermächtigung (authorization), or a Vertretungsbefugnis (authority to represent). It's used in various contexts:

• Politics : The authority given by voters to a party or a representative through an election. Example: Der Abgeordnete hat sein Mandat niedergelegt. (The representative resigned his mandate/seat.)
• Law : The authorization given by a Mandant (client) to a lawyer to represent their legal interests (often called power of attorney in English). Example: Der Anwalt übernahm das Mandat. (The lawyer took on the case/mandate.)
• Business/Administration : A formal commission or authority to perform specific tasks or business for someone else. Example: Die Agentur erhielt das Mandat für die neue Werbekampagne. (The agency received the mandate/contract for the new advertising campaign.)
• International Law : An assignment from an international organization (e.g., UN) to a state to administer a territory or carry out a specific task (e.g., peacekeeping). Example: Das UN-Mandat für den Einsatz wurde verlängert. (The UN mandate for the mission was extended.)

⚠️ Although there's only one article ("das"), the contexts are diverse!

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Declension of "Mandat"

"Das Mandat" is a neuter noun. Here’s how it's declined:

Note: The endings -e in Genitive and Dative singular (Mandates, Mandate) are possible but less common today and sound more formal.

📝 Example Sentences

• Nominative: Das Mandat wurde ihm entzogen. (The mandate was revoked from him.)
• Genitive: Die Dauer des Mandates ist begrenzt. (The duration of the mandate is limited.)
• Dative: Er widmete sich voll und ganz dem Mandat. (He dedicated himself completely to the mandate.)
• Akkusativ: Sie nahm das Mandat an. (She accepted the mandate.)
• Plural: Die Partei gewann bei der Wahl mehrere Mandate hinzu. (The party gained several mandates/seats in the election.)

🗣️ How is "das Mandat" used?

"Das Mandat" is a somewhat formal term, primarily used in specific professional fields:

• In political discourse: When discussing elections, members of parliament, or government commissions (e.g., Regierungsmandat - government mandate, Bundestagsmandat - seat in the federal parliament).
• In the legal field: In the context of hiring lawyers (e.g., Anwaltsmandat - lawyer's mandate, ein Mandat erteilen/annehmen/niederlegen - to grant/accept/resign a mandate). The client is also called der Mandant / die Mandantin.
• In business and administration: When referring to formal commissions or powers (e.g., Verwaltungsmandat - administrative mandate, Beratungsmandat - consulting mandate).
• In international relations: For missions or administrative tasks under the supervision of international organizations (e.g., UN-Mandat - UN mandate, Friedensmandat - peace mandate).

Distinction from similar terms:

• Auftrag: More general and less formal than Mandat. Can be any kind of task or order.
• Vollmacht: Refers more specifically to the legal authority to act on behalf of another, often formalized in writing (power of attorney).
• Befugnis: Generally denotes permission or the right to do something.

Mandat often implies an official, transferred authority or responsibility.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Mandat"

For the article ("das"): Think of "the task". A Mandat is like an official Task or job. Remember that many abstract concepts derived from verbs or related to official functions are neuter ("das") in German. It's das task, das Mandat.

For the meaning: Imagine a politician who has a mandate from the people – it's mandatory for him to represent them. Or a lawyer gets a mandate – it's mandatory to act for the client.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar, but different words:

• Mandant/Mandantin: (The client who gives a mandate to a lawyer). Don't confuse with das Mandat (the mandate/commission itself).

😄 A Little Joke

Auf Deutsch: Fragt der Richter den Anwalt: "Haben Sie ein Mandat?"
Antwortet der Anwalt: "Nein, Herr Richter, nur einen Schlips. Aber wenn es Vorschrift ist, kann ich mir schnell eins binden!"

In English: The judge asks the lawyer: "Do you have a mandate (Mandat)?"
The lawyer replies: "No, Your Honor, just a tie (Schlips). But if it's required, I can quickly tie one on!" (This is a pun, as 'Mandat' sounds a bit like 'man dat?' - 'man that?' or suggests something official, while the lawyer pretends to misunderstand it as something to wear, like a tie.)

✒️ Poem about 'das Mandat'

Auf Deutsch:
Vom Volk gewählt, mit Stimmgewicht,
erhält der Mensch ein großes Licht:
Das Mandat, zu handeln, klar,
für viele Jahr, das ist doch wahr.

Der Anwalt nimmt es auch entgegen,
auf rechtlich krummen, graden Wegen,
zu streiten für des Klienten Recht,
mit seinem Mandat, gut oder schlecht.

In English:
Elected by the people, with voting might,
a person receives a great light:
The mandate, to act, so clear,
for many a year, that is true here.

The lawyer accepts it too,
on legal paths, crooked or true,
to fight for the client's right,
with their mandate, dark or bright.

❓ Riddle Time

Auf Deutsch:
Ich bin ein Auftrag, klar und rein,
mal politisch, mal vom Anwaltsverein.
Man kann mich haben, geben, legen nieder,
manchmal für Jahre, manchmal nur kurz wieder.

Was bin ich?

In English:
I am a commission, clear and pure,
Sometimes political, sometimes from a lawyer, for sure.
You can have me, give me, lay me down low,
Sometimes for years, sometimes briefly, you know.

What am I?

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Origin (Wortherkunft): The word "Mandat" comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning "commission," "order," or "instruction." It derives from manus (hand) and dare (to give) – originally something "given into hand."

Compounds (Zusammensetzungen): There are many compound words with "Mandat" in German, e.g.: Bundestagsmandat (federal parliament seat/mandate), Landtagsmandat (state parliament seat/mandate), Direktmandat (direct mandate), UN-Mandat (UN mandate), Anwaltsmandat (lawyer's mandate/case), Beratungsmandat (consulting mandate).