das  Verteidigungsministerium

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈtaɪ̯dɪɡʊŋsˌmɪnɪstɛʁiʊm/

🏛️ What exactly is das Verteidigungsministerium?

Das Verteidigungsministerium is the highest federal authority of a state responsible for military defence and the armed forces. In English, it translates to the Ministry of Defence (UK) or the Department of Defense (US).

It's a compound noun (ein zusammengesetztes Substantiv):

• die Verteidigung (defense)
• das Ministerium (ministry)

Because the last word in the compound is Ministerium, which has the article das, the entire word is neuter: das Verteidigungsministerium.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Declension

Verteidigungsministerium is a neuter noun (sächlich). It follows the strong declension pattern.

Singular

Note: The genitive ending "-ministerii" is archaic or very formal.

Plural

The plural die Verteidigungsministerien is rarely used, as a country typically has only one Ministry of Defence. However, it can be used when referring to the ministries of multiple countries.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das Verteidigungsministerium hat neue Richtlinien erlassen.
   The Ministry of Defence has issued new guidelines.
2. Die Entscheidung des Verteidigungsministeriums wurde kritisiert.
   The decision of the Ministry of Defence was criticized.
3. Dem Verteidigungsministerium untersteht die Bundeswehr.
   The Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) is subordinate to the Ministry of Defence.
4. Man besuchte das Verteidigungsministerium in Berlin.
   They visited the Ministry of Defence in Berlin.

💡 How to use das Verteidigungsministerium?

The word Verteidigungsministerium is primarily used in official, political, or news contexts.

• Context: Discussions about national security, military budgets, deployments of armed forces abroad, political decisions in the defence sector.
• Abbreviation: In the German context, the abbreviation BMVg (for Bundesministerium der Verteidigung - Federal Ministry of Defence) is often used.
• Comparison: It's more specific than general terms like Regierung (government) or Behörde (authority). It clearly refers to military defence.
• Frequency: A common term in news and political reporting.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article das: Remember das Ministerium. Many ministries in German are neuter (das Innenministerium - Interior Ministry, das Finanzministerium - Finance Ministry). Since Verteidigungsministerium ends in "-ministerium", it inherits the article das.

For the meaning: Imagine a large, neutral (neuter -> das) building acting like a shield (Verteidigung) protecting the country. This building is the Verteidigungsministerium (Ministry of Defence).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Related Terms:

• Bundeswehr: The German Armed Forces, subordinate to the Verteidigungsministerium.
• Verteidigungsminister/in: The minister heading the ministry.
• Streitkräfte: Armed forces.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt ein General den neuen Rekruten: "Was ist Ihre Hauptaufgabe hier?"
Rekrut: "Ich glaube, ich bin hier zum Verteidigen, Herr General!"
General: "Gegen wen?"
Rekrut: "Na, gegen die Entscheidungen aus dem Verteidigungsministerium!"

English: A general asks the new recruit: "What is your main task here?"
Recruit: "I believe I'm here to defend, General Sir!"
General: "Against whom?"
Recruit: "Well, against the decisions from the Ministry of Defence!"

📜 Poem about the Ministry

German:
Im Haus der Wehr, mit Plan und Fug,
Das Verteidigungsministerium klug,
Wacht über Land und Sicherheit,
Zu jeder Stund', zu jeder Zeit.
Von Strategie bis zum Soldat,
Ein wichtiger Teil von unserm Staat.

English:
In the house of defence, with plan and skill,
The clever Ministry of Defence still
Watches over country and security,
At every hour, for eternity.
From strategy down to the troop,
An important part of our state group.

❓ A Little Riddle

German:
Ich habe keinen Schild, doch schütze sehr.
Ich leite die Armee, das ist nicht schwer.
Mein Artikel ist sächlich, ganz offiziell.
Wie heißt die Behörde, sag es schnell!

English:
I have no shield, yet I protect a lot.
I lead the army, it's not hard, is it not?
My article is neuter, officially decreed.
What is the name of this authority, tell me with speed!

Solution: das Verteidigungsministerium

🧩 Word Building Blocks and Trivia

Word Composition:

The word Verteidigungsministerium is a compound noun made of:

• die Verteidigung (Genitive: der Verteidigung -> + connecting 's') = defense
• das Ministerium = ministry

Trivia:

• The main headquarters (Hauptsitz) of the German Verteidigungsministerium is located on the Hardthöhe in Bonn, with a secondary office (zweiter Dienstsitz) in the Bendlerblock in Berlin.
• The abbreviation BMVg is very common in political and media usage in Germany.