das  Prozedere

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/pʁoʦeˈdeːʁə/

🧐 What does 'das Prozedere' mean?

The German word das Prozedere (noun, neuter) refers to the established procedure, the process, or the formal way of doing things. It's often used in formal, official, or bureaucratic contexts to describe the manner in which a process should be handled.

It derives from the Latin verb procedere, meaning 'to proceed' or 'to advance'. In German, it often emphasizes the formal or standardized nature of a sequence of actions.

⚠️ Note: Although die Prozedur (the procedure) sounds similar and is often used synonymously, das Prozedere can sometimes imply a more general or comprehensive view of the entire process, while die Prozedur might refer more specifically to individual steps or a specific instruction. However, in everyday language, they are frequently used interchangeably.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar & Declension of 'Prozedere'

Das Prozedere is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It is mostly used only in the singular. The plural ('die Prozeduren') is rare and more commonly used for the word 'Prozedur'.

Declension Singular

Note: The genitive singular can be formed with or without an 's' ('des Prozedere' or 'des Prozederes'). The form without 's' is more common.

Declension Plural

The plural of 'das Prozedere' is very uncommon. When talking about multiple procedures, people usually use 'die Prozeduren' (plural of 'die Prozedur').

Example Sentences 📝

• Bitte halten Sie sich genau an das Prozedere.
  Please adhere exactly to the procedure.
• Der Anwalt erklärte das übliche Prozedere bei einer Gerichtsverhandlung.
  The lawyer explained the usual procedure during a court hearing.
• Die Einhaltung des Prozedere(s) ist für den Antrag unerlässlich.
  Adherence to the procedure is essential for the application.
• Wir müssen das gesamte Prozedere noch einmal durchgehen.
  We need to go through the entire procedure once again.

💡 How to use 'das Prozedere'?

Das Prozedere is typically used in the following situations:

• Formal instructions: When a specific sequence of steps must be followed (e.g., in government offices, for applications, in meetings).
• Describing processes: To explain how something is usually handled (e.g., the application procedure - das Bewerbungsprozedere, the election procedure - das Wahlprozedere).
• Emphasizing formality: Sometimes used to highlight the bureaucratic or somewhat cumbersome nature of a process.

Compared to Ablauf (sequence, flow) or Vorgehen (approach, method), 'Prozedere' sounds more official and standardized. Verfahren (procedure, method) is a very close synonym, also often used in official contexts.

🧠 Mnemonics & Memory Aids

For the article: Imagine das (the) big rulebook for das Prozedere lying on the table. It's 'das' rulebook, so it's 'das' Prozedere. Also, notice the '-e' ending, common in neuter nouns in German (like das Gebäude - building, das Interesse - interest). It doesn't end in typical feminine endings (-ung, -heit, -keit) or common masculine ones (-er).

For the meaning: Think of the English word 'procedure' or 'process'. Das Prozedere describes the exact 'process' or 'procedure' for how something unfolds – the established way of doing things.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but potentially misleading words:

• Die Prozedur: (procedure) Very similar, often interchangeable, but sometimes more specific to individual steps. Feminine gender!

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Beamte beim Marathon aufgegeben?
Er fand das Prozedere mit dem ständigen Laufen viel zu anstrengend und nicht vorschriftsgemäß dokumentiert!

Translation: Why did the civil servant give up during the marathon?
He found the procedure (das Prozedere) involving constant running far too exhausting and not documented according to regulations!

📜 A Poem about 'Prozedere'

Im Amt, da zählt, wer Ordnung kennt,
Das Prozedere, das man nie verpennt.
Ein Schritt folgt klar dem nächsten nach,
So will's die Regel, will's das Fach.
Von Antrag A bis Z Beschluss,
ist alles streng geregelt, ohne Frust?
Manchmal wünscht man sich, ganz frei,
Vorbei wär' die Prozederei!

Translation:
In office, what counts is knowing order's way,
The procedure (Das Prozedere) you never miss all day.
One step clearly follows the next along,
That's how the rule demands, the subject strong.
From application A to final decree Z,
Is all strictly regulated, without dread?
Sometimes one wishes, quite freely,
That all this procedure-stuff (Prozederei) would cease to be!

🧩 A Little Riddle

Ich habe Regeln, Schritt für Schritt,
In Amt und Sitzung bin ich der Hit.
Man folgt mir meistens ganz genau,
Obwohl ich manchmal mach' viel Stau.
Mit 'das' steh ich im Duden drin.

Was bin ich wohl? Der Sinn?
Nein, das Prozedere!

Translation:
I have rules, step by step so neat,
In office and meetings, I'm the main treat.
People follow me mostly exact and true,
Although sometimes I cause a queue.
With 'das' I stand in the dictionary's heart.

What could I be? The meaning? A start?
No, the procedure (das Prozedere)!

ℹ️ Other Information

Word Origin (Etymology):

Das Prozedere comes from the Latin verb procedere, meaning 'to go forward', 'to advance', 'to proceed'. It was borrowed into German via the Italian procedere (procedure, approach), likely in the 17th or 18th century, when Latin and Italian terms were popular in administration and law.

Cultural Context:

The term often reflects a German penchant for orderly and clearly defined processes, particularly in official and bureaucratic domains. It can sometimes be used slightly ironically or critically to describe excessive bureaucracy or cumbersome procedures.