das  Unterhaus

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʊntɐˌhaʊ̯s/

🏛️ What exactly is 'das Unterhaus'?

The word das Unterhaus generally refers to the second chamber of a parliament in a bicameral system, usually directly or indirectly elected by the people. It contrasts with the Oberhaus (upper house).

• Political Meaning: Usually, das Unterhaus is the chamber with greater political power, especially concerning legislation and electing or controlling the government.
• Well-known Examples: The term is most frequently used for the British House of Commons or the Canadian House of Commons.
• Germany: In the German context, the Bundestag is sometimes informally referred to as das Unterhaus, although Germany formally doesn't have a classic bicameral system with an upper and lower house of equal standing (the Bundesrat is an organ of the federal states).

🚨 It's important to note the specific context, as the exact function and designation can vary by country.

🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: Das Unterhaus

The noun „Unterhaus“ is neuter and uses the article das. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

• Das britische Unterhaus hat über den Gesetzentwurf abgestimmt.
  (The British House of Commons voted on the bill.)
• Die Befugnisse des Unterhauses sind in der Verfassung festgelegt.
  (The powers of the lower house are defined in the constitution.)
• Die Regierung benötigt die Zustimmung des Unterhauses.
  (The government needs the approval of the lower house.)
• Manche Länder haben keine zwei Kammern, sondern nur ein Unterhaus (im Sinne von einziger Kammer, dann oft „Parlament“ genannt).
  (Some countries don't have two chambers, but only a lower house (in the sense of a single chamber, then often called 'parliament').)

💬 How to use 'das Unterhaus'?

The term 'das Unterhaus' is used almost exclusively in a political context.

• Typical Contexts: Political reporting, discussions about legislation, comparisons of political systems.
• Focus: Refers to the elected popular representation in a bicameral system.
• Distinction: Clearly distinguished from the Oberhaus (e.g., House of Lords, Senate, Bundesrat), which often has different functions (e.g., representing regions, reviewing laws).
• Reference to Germany: Calling the Bundestag 'Unterhaus' is more metaphorical or simplifying, as the Bundesrat plays a different role than a classic upper house. The formally correct term is 'Bundestag'.
• International: Very common in reference to the United Kingdom and Canada.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Unterhaus'

Mnemonic for the article 'das':

Think of das Haus (the house). The parliament is also a big house, and the 'lower' part, the one closer to the ground ('unter'), is das Unterhaus. Like das Erdgeschoss (the ground floor).

Mnemonic for the meaning:

Imagine the elected representatives are 'under' the scrutiny of the people, or physically 'under' the upper chamber in the parliament building. They form the foundation, the 'under'-part: das Unterhaus.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Caution: Terms like „Parlament“ (Parliament) or „Kongress“ (Congress) can refer to the entire legislative body (both chambers plus potentially other parts) or sometimes just the lower house. The specific usage depends on the country.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Tourist vor dem britischen Parlament: „Ist das hier das berühmte Unterhaus?“
Antwortet ein Abgeordneter: „Nein, das ist das Oberhaus. Im Unterhaus wird gearbeitet, hier wird nur genickt!“ 😉

(A tourist asks in front of the British Parliament: "Is this the famous Lower House?"
An MP replies: "No, this is the Upper House. In the Lower House, they work; here, they just nod!") 😉

📜 Poem about the House

Im großen Haus der Politik,
gibt's manchen klugen Schachzug, manchen Trick.
Doch unten, wo die Debatten laut,
da wird des Volkes Wille aufgebaut.
Das Unterhaus, gewählt, bereit,
für Recht und Gesetz, zu jeder Zeit.

(In the great house of politics,
there are many clever moves, many tricks.
But below, where debates are loud,
the people's will is built aloud.
The Lower House, elected, ready,
for justice and law, always steady.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Teil von Parlamenten groß,
doch sitz ich tiefer, nicht im oberen Schoß.
Gewählte Stimmen hört man hier,
Gesetze machen ist mein Revier.

Was bin ich?
... Das Unterhaus

(I am part of parliaments grand,
but sit lower, not in the upper land.
Elected voices are heard here,
making laws is my sphere.

What am I?
... The Lower House / das Unterhaus)

🧩 Other Interesting Details

Word Composition:

The word „Unterhaus“ is a clear composition of:

• unter: Preposition/adverb, here meaning 'lower in rank or position'.
• Haus: Noun, here metaphorically for the chamber or assembly of a parliament.

Historical Context:

The development of upper and lower houses evolved historically, often from the separation of nobility/clergy (Upper House) and bourgeoisie/lower nobility (Lower House). The English Parliament is considered an early model for this.