das  Sagen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈzaːɡn̩/

🗣️ What does "das Sagen" mean?

Das Sagen is a nominalized verb (from the verb sagen - to say) and refers to the authority, power, or decision-making competence someone has in a particular situation or group. It basically means who is in charge, who has control, or whose opinion is decisive.

It is always used with the article das (the neuter article) and practically only exists in the singular.

• Meaning 1: Authority, power, the say ("Wer hat hier das Sagen?" - Who has the say here? / Who is in charge here?)

⚠️ Don't confuse it with the plural of "die Sage" (legend, myth), which is also "die Sagen" but has a completely different meaning and is feminine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "das Sagen" in Detail

"Das Sagen" is a nominalized verb (infinitive used as a noun) and is therefore always neuter (sächlich) and takes the article das. It is almost exclusively used in the singular.

Declension Singular

* Usage with the indefinite article is very rare and typically only conceivable in specific contexts (e.g., "Es war ein ständiges Sagen und Widersprechen." - It was a constant saying and contradicting., which refers more to the act of speaking, not authority).

Declension Plural

A plural of "das Sagen" in the sense of authority is uncommon and practically non-existent. If you hear "die Sagen", it refers to the plural of "die Sage" (legend).

Example Sentences

1. Wer hat in dieser Firma das Sagen?
   (Who is in charge in this company?)
2. Die Eltern haben zu Hause oft das Sagen.
   (The parents often have the say at home.)
3. Er wollte auch mal das Sagen haben.
   (He wanted to be in charge for once too.)
4. Es geht darum, wer am Ende das Sagen hat.
   (It's about who has the final say / is in charge in the end.)

💡 How to use "das Sagen"

The expression "das Sagen haben" (to have the say / to be in charge) is very common and is used to describe hierarchies or power dynamics.

• Contexts: Family, work, politics, group decisions, social situations.
• Typical Phrases:
  • das Sagen haben (to have the authority)
  • nichts zu sagen haben (to have no say / no influence / no authority)
  • jemandem das Sagen überlassen (to leave the decision-making power to someone)
• Distinction: It's clearly different from the verb sagen (to say, to tell). "Das Sagen" refers to the power behind what is said or the authority to decide.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Sagen"

Mnemonic for the Article (das):

Nominalized verbs in German are almost always neuter, so they get das. Think of: das Laufen (the running), das Schwimmen (the swimming), das Essen (the eating)... and therefore also das Sagen (the having the say). It represents the abstract concept of authority, which often feels neutral.

Mnemonic for the Meaning:

Whoever has das Sagen gets to say (sagen) what happens. The final word, the decisive one (think das), comes from the person with das Sagen.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

🚨 Caution: Do not confuse with "die Sage" (legend, myth) or the verb "sagen" (to say, to tell).

😂 A Little Joke

Der kleine Sohn fragt seinen Vater: "Papa, wer hat bei uns zu Hause eigentlich das Sagen?"
Der Vater schaut sich um und flüstert: "Ich – aber sag's nicht der Mama!" 😉

Translation:
The little son asks his father: "Dad, who is actually in charge at our house?"
The father looks around and whispers: "I am – but don't tell Mom!" 😉

✍️ Poem about "das Sagen"

Im Büro, im Haus, im ganzen Land,
gibt's immer wen mit fester Hand.
Wer ruft "Halt!" und wer ruft "Geh!"?
Wer hat das Sagen, ojemineh?

Manchmal laut, manchmal ganz leise,
auf seine ganz besond're Weise,
wird bestimmt, was Richtig ist,
wer das Sagen hat, ist meist nicht trist.

Translation:
In the office, the house, the entire land,
there's always someone with a firm hand.
Who calls "Stop!" and who calls "Go!"?
Who has the say, oh dearie me, oh?

Sometimes loud, sometimes very quiet,
in their very special way or diet,
it's decided what is right,
whoever has the say is usually quite bright (or: not sad/gloomy).

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin nicht hörbar, doch man spürt mich klar.
Ich wohne oft beim Chef, das ist doch wahr.
Ich bin ein Recht, das manchem gern gefällt,
und bin mit 'das' bestellt.

Was bin ich?
... Das Sagen

Translation:
I am not audible, yet I am clearly felt.
I often reside with the boss, that's true, I've dwelt.
I am a right that some people like quite well,
and I'm ordered with 'das' to tell.

What am I?
... Das Sagen (The say / authority)

ℹ️ Additional Information

Word Formation: "Das Sagen" is a classic example of Nominalisierung (nominalization) in German. Here, the infinitive of the verb "sagen" (to say) is taken and turned into a noun by adding the neuter article "das". This phenomenon is very common in German (e.g., das Laufen - the running, das Denken - the thinking, das Schreiben - the writing).

Cultural Significance: The question "Wer hat das Sagen?" (Who's in charge? / Who has the say?) is often central to social dynamics and reflects power structures. It can appear in serious discussions about leadership as well as in everyday jokes about family hierarchies.