das  Tribunal

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/tʁɪbjuˈnaːl/

🏛️ What exactly is 'das Tribunal'?

The German word das Tribunal (neuter gender) generally refers to a special type of court or tribunal. It is often used for bodies that judge special cases, such as war crimes tribunals or historical revolutionary courts. Sometimes it is also used more generally for a court of law or a judicial body.

It only exists in the neuter form with the article 'das'.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of 'das Tribunal' in Detail

The noun 'Tribunal' is neuter and follows the strong declension pattern.

Example Sentences

1. Das internationale Tribunal verurteilte den Angeklagten. (The international tribunal convicted the defendant.)
2. Die Entscheidungen des Tribunals sind bindend. (The decisions of the tribunal are binding.)
3. Vor dem Tribunal mussten alle Zeugen aussagen. (All witnesses had to testify before the tribunal.)
4. Die Vereinten Nationen richteten das Tribunal ein. (The United Nations established the tribunal.)
5. In der Geschichte gab es viele berüchtigte Tribunale. (There have been many notorious tribunals in history.)

🗣️ How to use 'das Tribunal'?

'Das Tribunal' is mostly used in formal or historical contexts, often related to international law, war crimes, or political purges. It sounds more official and often more serious than the more common word 'das Gericht' (the court).

• International Law: e.g., das Nürnberger Tribunal (the Nuremberg Tribunal), das Haager Tribunal (the Hague Tribunal).
• Historical Context: e.g., die Revolutionstribunale during the French Revolution.
• Figurative Meaning (less common): Sometimes used metaphorically for an authority passing moral judgment (e.g., das Tribunal der Geschichte - the tribunal of history).

Compared to 'das Gericht', which is a general term for any legal institution administering justice, 'das Tribunal' often implies a special task, composition, or a specific (often negative) historical background.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Tribunal'

For the article 'das': Think of 'dAS judgement'. Judgements are often delivered before a TribunAL. 'Das Urteil' (the judgement) -> 'Das Tribunal'. Or: A Tribunal should be neutral - neuter things are often neutral -> das Tribunal.

For the meaning: Imagine a Roman tribune sitting on a raised platform (the tribunal) administering justice. It's a place of judgment.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Not every 'Gericht' is a 'Tribunal'. 'Tribunal' often carries a more specific, serious, or historical connotation.

😄 A little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Gestehen Sie, die Nudeln gestohlen zu haben?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Nein, Herr Vorsitzender, ich habe sie nur al dente mitgenommen!"
Richter: "Das ist ja Nötigung! Ab vor das Pasta-Tribunal!" 😉

(Judge asks the defendant: "Do you confess to stealing the pasta?"
Defendant replies: "No, Your Honor, I just took them al dente!"
Judge: "That's coercion! Off to the Pasta Tribunal!")

📜 A Poem about das Tribunal

Wo Recht gesprochen, ernst und schwer,
(Where justice is spoken, serious and grave,)
Tagt das Tribunal, kommt alle her.
(The tribunal convenes, come gather brave.)
Mit Richtern, streng und klar im Blick,
(With judges, stern and clear of sight,)
Entscheidet es über Schicksal und Geschick.
(It decides on fate and plight.)
Mal historisch, mal ganz präsent,
(Sometimes historical, sometimes present day,)
Ein Urteil fällt, das niemand kennt,
(A verdict falls, unknown its way,)
Bis es verkündet, laut und rein,
(Until announced, loud and clear,)
So soll Gerechtigkeit hier sein.
(Thus justice should be present here.)
Das Tribunal, ein ernster Ort,
(The tribunal, a solemn place,)
Trägt Wahrheit fort von Port zu Port.
(Carries truth forth with steady pace.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Ort, doch nicht zum Wohnen fein.
(I am a place, but not a fine home to reside.)
Hier wird geurteilt, schuldig oder rein.
(Here judgments are made, guilty or purified.)
Oft bin ich international bekannt,
(Often I am known internationally,)
Manchmal aus dunkler Zeit entsandt.
(Sometimes sent from darker history.)
Mein Artikel ist sächlich, klar,
(My article is neuter, clearly so,)
Ich bin ...?
(I am ...?)(Solution: das Tribunal)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Origin (Etymology): The word 'Tribunal' comes from the Latin tribunal. This originally referred to a raised platform or gallery (tribuna) on which Roman magistrates, especially the tribunes of the plebs (tribuni plebis), sat to administer justice or manage public affairs. The ending '-al' often indicates a place.

Famous Tribunals:

• Nürnberger Tribunal (Nuremberg Tribunal - against Nazi war criminals)
• Internationaler Strafgerichtshof für das ehemalige Jugoslawien (ICTY) in The Hague (International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia)
• Internationaler Strafgerichtshof für Ruanda (ICTR) (International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda)