das
Referendum
🗳️ What exactly is a Referendum?
The German word das Referendum (plural: die Referenden) refers to a referendum or plebiscite. It is an instrument of direct democracy where the electorate votes directly on a specific political issue, often a proposed law or constitutional amendment.
It is a noun of neuter gender, hence the article is das.
🚨 Be careful: Sometimes people mistakenly use "der Referendum", but the correct form is always das Referendum.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Many foreign words → mostly neutral.
There are many foreign words, we won't list them all.
-um → mostly neutral.
Caution: Nouns with '-aum' are always masculine.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Referendum
The word "Referendum" is a neuter noun.
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Referendum |
| Genitive | des | Referendums |
| Dative | dem | Referendum |
| Accusative | das | Referendum |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Referenden |
| Genitive | der | Referenden |
| Dative | den | Referenden |
| Accusative | die | Referenden |
📝 Example Sentences
- Das Referendum über den EU-Austritt fand 2016 statt.
(The referendum on EU withdrawal took place in 2016.) - Die Regierung kündigte ein Referendum zur Verfassungsänderung an.
(The government announced a referendum on the constitutional amendment.) - Das Ergebnis des Referendums war bindend.
(The result of the referendum was binding.) - Viele Bürger beteiligten sich an dem Referendum.
(Many citizens participated in the referendum.) - In der Schweiz sind Referenden ein häufiges politisches Instrument.
(In Switzerland, referendums are a common political tool.)
🌐 How to Use "das Referendum"?
The term das Referendum is primarily used in political and legal contexts.
- Political debates: When discussing direct democracy, citizen participation, or specific votes.
- News and media: In reports about votes in various countries.
- Legislation: When a law or constitutional amendment is put to a vote.
In German, the terms Volksentscheid and Volksabstimmung are often synonymous with Referendum. Sometimes there are subtle differences depending on the country or specific procedure (e.g., whether the initiative comes from the people or the parliament), but in general usage, they are used similarly. "Referendum" sounds a bit more formal or international.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Aid (das): Think of das result, das vote, das instrument (of democracy). Many neutral concepts fit the idea of a vote.
Meaning Aid: Referendum sounds like "refer". The people "refer" their decision back to the political system.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms for das Referendum
- Volksabstimmung: Very common synonym, often identical in meaning ('people's vote').
- Volksentscheid: Also common, emphasizes the decisive nature ('people's decision').
- Plebiszit: More often used for votes on questions of trust or territorial affiliation, sometimes with a negative connotation (initiated from above).
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Parlamentsbeschluss / parlamentarische Entscheidung: Parliamentary decision (decision by elected representatives, not directly by the people).
- Expertenentscheidung: Expert decision.
- Dekret / Erlass: Decree (decision by an executive or ruler).
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse it with Referent/Referentin (someone giving a presentation) or Referat (presentation, department).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Politiker den anderen: "Was hältst du von einem Referendum über die Intelligenz der Wähler?"
Antwortet der andere: "Gefährlich! Was, wenn wir verlieren?"
(One politician asks another: "What do you think about a referendum on the intelligence of the voters?"
The other replies: "Dangerous! What if we lose?")
📜 A Poem on the Topic
Das Volk wird gefragt, die Stimm' erhoben,
Beim Referendum wird entschieden, verwoben.
Ein Kreuz auf dem Zettel, ja oder nein,
So soll die Zukunft des Landes sein.
Direkte Macht, dem Bürger gegeben,
Ein Stück Demokratie, im echten Leben.
(The people are asked, their voices raised,
In the referendum, decisions are interwoven.
A cross on the ballot, yes or no,
Thus shall the country's future go.
Direct power, given to the citizen,
A piece of democracy, truly livin'.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin kein König und kein Parlament,
doch meine Entscheidung hat oft Gewicht, permanent.
Das Volk befragt, mit Stift und Papier,
entscheide ich über das „Wir“.
Was bin ich?
(I am no king and no parliament,
yet my decision often carries weight, permanent.
The people are asked, with pen and paper near,
I decide upon the "We" right here.
What am I?)
Solution: das Referendum
💡 More Fun Facts
Word Origin: The word "Referendum" comes from Latin. It is the gerundive of referre, meaning 'to carry back', 'to report', or 'to submit'. Literally: 'something that must be carried back/submitted' (namely, for decision by the people).
International Significance: Referendums are an important political instrument in many countries; their frequent use in Switzerland is particularly well-known. (DE: Referenden sind in vielen Ländern ein wichtiges politisches Instrument, besonders bekannt ist ihr häufiger Einsatz in der Schweiz.)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Referendum?
The correct article for the word Referendum is das. It is a neuter noun and means referendum or plebiscite. The plural form is "die Referenden".