das  Parlament

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/paʁlaˈmɛnt/

🏛️ What exactly is a Parliament?

Das Parlament (neuter gender) refers to the supreme legislative body of a state, essentially the Volksvertretung (people's representation). This is where laws are discussed and passed. It's the centerpiece of a parliamentary democracy.

Examples of parliaments include the Deutscher Bundestag (German Federal Parliament) or the Landtag (state parliament) of a federal state.

There is only this one article, das, for this word in this meaning. ⚠️ Don't confuse it with words that might sound similar but could have different articles (although there aren't direct pitfalls here).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Parlament

The noun "Parlament" is neuter (sächlich) and is declined accordingly.

Example Sentences

1. Das Parlament tagt heute im Reichstagsgebäude. (The parliament is meeting in the Reichstag building today.)
2. Die Entscheidung des Parlaments wurde kontrovers diskutiert. (The parliament's decision was discussed controversially.)
3. Die Abgeordneten gehören dem Parlament an. (The representatives belong to the parliament.)
4. Der Gesetzentwurf muss erst das Parlament passieren. (The draft law must first pass the parliament.)
5. In Europa gibt es viele nationale Parlamente. (There are many national parliaments in Europe.)

🗣️ How to use "das Parlament"?

The term das Parlament is primarily used in political and social contexts. It designates the institution where elected representatives of the people draft and pass laws.

• Typical Contexts: Political news, discussions about legislation, civic education, history.
• Usage: One speaks of the "Bundestag" as dem deutschen Parlament (the German parliament), the "Nationalrat" as dem österreichischen Parlament (the Austrian parliament), or more generally of einem Parlament (a parliament).
• Distinction: It's important to distinguish das Parlament (legislative branch) from die Regierung (executive branch/government), even though the government often emerges from the parliament.

💡 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of das Haus (the house). A parliament is often a large, important building, a house of democracy. Many important buildings or institutions in German are neuter: das Rathaus (city hall), das Gericht (court), das Amt (office), das Parlament.

Meaning Mnemonic: In the Parlament, people do a lot of 'parleying' (talking, discussing – from French 'parler'). Imagine intense 'parleying' about laws happening there.

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

Synonyms (similar meaning):

• Volksvertretung: (People's representation) Emphasizes the function of representing the people.
• Abgeordnetenhaus: (House of representatives/deputies) Often refers to a parliament or one of its chambers (e.g., in Berlin).
• Gesetzgebung / Legislative: (Legislation / Legislature) Refers to the function or the branch of power, not necessarily the body itself.
• Hohes Haus: (High House) A respectful, sometimes slightly old-fashioned term for parliament.
• Specific Names: Bundestag (Germany), Nationalrat (Austria), Bundesversammlung (Switzerland), Landtag (German federal states).

Antonyms (opposing concepts):

• Regierung / Exekutive: (Government / Executive) The branch that executes laws (though often closely linked to parliament).
• Judikative / Gerichte: (Judiciary / Courts) The branch that interprets laws.
• Diktatur / Autokratie: (Dictatorship / Autocracy) Systems of government without a free, democratic parliament.

⚠️ Similar Sounding Words:

There aren't common German words that sound very similar to "Parlament" and could be easily confused while having a different article.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Politiker im Parlament immer einen Bleistift mit?
Damit sie wichtige Beschlüsse spitzen können! 😉

(Why do politicians in parliament always take a pencil with them?
So they can sharpen important decisions! — A pun on "spitzen" meaning "to sharpen" and also "to point out/refine", and "Beschlüsse" meaning "decisions" but sounding like "Bleistifte" - pencils.)

📜 A Poem about the Parliament

Im Hohen Haus, tagaus, tagein,
soll Volkes Wille Richtschnur sein.
Man debattiert, mal laut, mal leis,
das Parlament, auf seine Weis'.
Gesetze formt's für Stadt und Land,
geführt von kluger, starker Hand.

(In the High House, day out, day in,
the people's will should guide within.
They debate, sometimes loud, sometimes low,
the parliament, in its own way, you know.
It shapes laws for city and state,
led by a hand both wise and great.)

❓ Who or What am I?

Ich habe viele Sitze, aber reise nie.
In mir wird gesprochen, entschieden und regiert, doch ich selbst habe keinen Mund.
Gewählte Vertreter kommen in mir zusammen.
Was bin ich?

(I have many seats, but never travel.
Inside me, people speak, decide, and govern, yet I have no mouth myself.
Elected representatives gather within me.
What am I?)

Solution: das Parlament

🌐 More Interesting Facts

Word Origin: The word "Parlament" comes from the Old French word parlement, meaning "discussion" or "meeting." This, in turn, derives from the verb parler ("to speak").

Compounds: There are many compound words in German, such as Parlamentsgebäude (parliament building), Parlamentsdebatte (parliamentary debate), Parlamentsmitglied (member of parliament), Parlamentsbeschluss (parliamentary decision), Europaparlament (European Parliament).