das  Plenum

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈpleːnʊm/

📖 What does "das Plenum" mean?

Das Plenum (noun, neuter) refers to a plenary session or a full assembly where all members of an organization, committee, parliament, or academic conference participate (as opposed to meetings of committees or smaller working groups).

It derives from the Latin word "plenus", meaning "full" – so the assembly is "complete" or attended by everyone.

Typical contexts are:

• Politics: A session of the entire parliament (e.g., das Bundestagsplenum - the plenary session of the German Bundestag).
• Science/Academia: A main session at a conference attended by all participants, often for keynote speeches or important presentations.
• Organizations/Associations: The general meeting where all members are entitled to participate.

🚨 There is only this one meaning and the article das. Confusion is rare.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: das Plenum

"Plenum" is a noun with the neuter article das. It declines as follows:

⚠️ The plural can be formed in two ways: "die Plenen" (more common in general language) or "die Plena" (more formal/technical, closer to Latin).

📝 Short Example Sentences

1. Das Plenum des Bundestages tritt morgen zusammen. (The plenum of the Bundestag convenes tomorrow.)
2. Die Entscheidung wurde im Plenum getroffen. (The decision was made in the plenum.)
3. Alle Teilnehmer waren zum Vortrag im Plenum eingeladen. (All participants were invited to the lecture in the plenum.)
4. Die Ergebnisse der Arbeitsgruppen werden in den nächsten Plenen/Plena vorgestellt. (The results of the working groups will be presented in the next plenary sessions.)

🗣️ How to use "das Plenum"

"Das Plenum" is mainly used in formal contexts, especially in political, academic, or organizational fields.

• In Parliament: This is where major debates and votes take place. "Die Rede wurde live aus dem Plenum übertragen." (The speech was broadcast live from the plenary session.)
• At Conferences: For keynote lectures or joint sessions. "Nach den Workshops trafen sich alle wieder im Plenum." (After the workshops, everyone met again in the plenum.)
• In Committees/Associations: For the decisive general assembly of all members. "Der Vorstand muss dem Plenum Bericht erstatten." (The board must report to the general assembly/plenum.)

Distinguishing from similar terms:

• Sitzung (Meeting): General term for a meeting; can also be a committee or a small group. Das Plenum is a specific type of Sitzung (the full assembly).
• Vollversammlung (General Assembly): Synonym for Plenum, often slightly less formal or less specific to the parliamentary context.
• Ausschuss/Komitee (Committee): A smaller group dealing with specific topics that may report to the plenum. The opposite of Plenum.

Common phrases include "etwas ins Plenum tragen" (to bring a topic to the plenum for discussion) or "im Plenum diskutieren/entscheiden" (to discuss/decide in the plenum).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

1. For the article "das": Imagine das large, neutral building (like das Parlament - the parliament building), where das Plenum takes place. Neutral places or concepts often use "das". Or think of das Gremium (committee) - many Latin loanwords ending in -um are neuter in German, like Plenum.

2. For the meaning "full assembly": Think of "Plenty" – in the Plenum, there are "plenty" of people, meaning all members are present. It's full (Latin plenus).

"In das Plenum, it's never glum, because all the people come!"

↔️ Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms

Caution: A general "Sitzung" (meeting) is not necessarily a Plenum, but it can be. Context is key.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Abgeordneter den anderen: "Warum sind die Stühle im Plenum eigentlich so bequem?"

Antwortet der andere: "Damit man bei den langen Reden nicht auf dumme Gedanken kommt, sondern direkt einschläft!"

Translation:

One member of parliament asks another: "Why are the chairs in the plenum so comfortable?"

The other replies: "So that during the long speeches, you don't get any silly ideas, but just fall asleep immediately!"

✍️ Poem about the Plenum

Im großen Saal, das Licht ist an,
Das Plenum fängt zu tagen an.
Von überall die Stimmen hallen,
Entscheidungen sollen fallen.

Man diskutiert, man stimmt dann ab,
Mal schnell im Trab, mal völlig schlapp.
Hier spricht die Menge, groß und breit,
Für Recht und für Gerechtigkeit.
Das Plenum wirkt, mit voller Macht,
Hat manches schon zustande gebracht.

Translation:

In the great hall, the light is on,
The Plenum begins its session.
From everywhere, voices echo,
Decisions are about to flow.

They discuss, then cast their vote,
Sometimes briskly, sometimes remote.
Here speaks the crowd, wide and grand,
For justice and rights across the land.
The Plenum works, with fullest might,
Has brought many things to light.

🤔 Who or what am I? A Riddle

Ich bin kein kleiner Kreis, kein Ausschuss nur,
Bei mir trifft sich die ganze Kur.
Ob Bundestag, ob Uni-Fest,
Bei mir sind alle auf dem Post'.
Mein Name klingt nach Fülle, lateinisch klar,
Hier wird beraten, Jahr für Jahr.

Was bin ich?
... Das Plenum

Translation:

I'm not a small circle, not just a committee,
With me, the whole assembly comes to be.
Whether Bundestag or university fest,
With me, everyone is put to the test (lit. 'at their post').
My name sounds like fullness, Latin and clear,
Here counsel is taken, year after year.

What am I?
... The Plenum

💡 More Trivia

Etymology (Word Origin):

The word "Plenum" comes directly from the Latin adjective plēnus, meaning "full", "filled". It refers to the completeness of the assembly's membership. The neuter form in Latin is plēnum, meaning "the full (thing/space)", which was adopted as a noun for the full assembly.

Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen):

Common compounds include:

• Plenarsaal: Plenary hall (the hall where the plenum meets).
• Plenarsitzung: Plenary session (the meeting of the plenum).
• Plenardebatte: Plenary debate (a debate held in the plenum).