das  Wahlversprechen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvaːlˌfɛɐ̯ˌʃpʁɛçn̩/

🗳️ What Exactly is a Wahlversprechen?

A Wahlversprechen is a promise or an announcement made by a political party or candidate during an election campaign to win over voters. It often describes planned political measures, legislative changes, or projects intended to be implemented after an election victory.

It's a compound noun:

• Die Wahl: the election
• Das Versprechen: the promise

The grammatical gender is determined by the last part of the word, „Versprechen“, which is neuter. Therefore, it's always das Wahlversprechen.

⚠️ Wahlversprechen are often criticized because they are not always (or cannot always be) kept after the election.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Declension of 'das Wahlversprechen'

The word „Wahlversprechen“ is a neuter noun. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Partei machte im Wahlkampf viele Wahlversprechen.
   (The party made many election promises during the campaign.)
2. Erinnerst du dich noch an das Wahlversprechen zur Steuerreform?
   (Do you still remember the election promise about tax reform?)
3. Viele Bürger sind skeptisch gegenüber großen Wahlversprechen.
   (Many citizens are skeptical about big election promises.)
4. Die Einhaltung der Wahlversprechen wird oft kritisch beobachtet.
   (The fulfillment of the election promises is often critically observed.)

🗣️ Usage in Context

The term Wahlversprechen is used almost exclusively in a political context, especially during election campaign periods.

• Typical Usage: Discussing political platforms, criticizing politicians or parties, analyzing campaign strategies.
• Connotation: Often has a slightly negative or at least skeptical connotation, as the fulfillment of Wahlversprechen is frequently doubted. Sometimes referred to as „leere Wahlversprechen“ (empty election promises).
• Differentiation:
  • Zusage: A more general term for a promise or commitment, not specific to elections.
  • Wahlprogramm: A party's comprehensive platform for an election period, which contains Wahlversprechen but is broader.
  • Zielsetzung: An objective or goal, which might sound less binding than a promise.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: The word ends in "-sprechen", like in "das Versprechen" (the promise). Both words are neuter – so it's das Wahlversprechen.

Meaning Mnemonic: Politicians want your vote in the Wahl (election). What do they do? They give you a Versprechen (promise). → Wahlversprechen!

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words:

• Die Wahlabsicht: Voting intention.
• Das Wahlrecht: The right to vote.
• Die Wahlbeteiligung: Voter turnout.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Bürger den Politiker: „Was passiert eigentlich mit den Wahlversprechen nach der Wahl?“

Antwortet der Politiker: „Die? Ach, die kommen ins Archiv für unerledigte Anträge!“

Translation:

A citizen asks a politician: "What actually happens to election promises after the election?"

The politician replies: "Those? Oh, they go into the archive for unresolved requests!"

📜 Poem about Wahlversprechen

Vor der Wahl, da klingt es fein,
Das Wahlversprechen, groß und rein.
Mehr Geld, mehr Glück, für jedermann,
So fängt der Stimmenfang dann an.

Doch ist die Wahl erst mal vorbei,
ist manchem das Versprechen einerlei.
Es schrumpft zusammen, klein und blass,
Am Ende bleibt oft nur... nun ja, das.

Translation:

Before the vote, it sounds so fine,
The election promise, grand and divine.
More cash, more luck, for every soul,
That's how the vote-catching takes its toll.

But once the election day is past,
For some, the promise doesn't last.
It shrinks and fades, becomes quite small,
In the end, often just... well, that's all.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich werde vor der Stimmabgabe laut verkündet,
bin mal konkret, mal vage begründet.
Man hofft auf mich, doch traut mir nicht ganz,
was bin ich, im politischen Tanz?

Lösung: Das Wahlversprechen

Translation:

I am loudly announced before the vote is cast,
Sometimes concrete, sometimes vaguely amassed.
People hope for me, but trust me not quite,
What am I, in the political light?

Solution: The election promise (das Wahlversprechen)

🧩 Word Components and Other Info

Word Composition:

The word „Wahlversprechen“ is composed of two German nouns:

• die Wahl (noun, feminine): Refers to the act of choosing or an election.
• das Versprechen (noun, neuter): A promise or assurance.

As with many compound nouns in German, the last word determines the gender of the entire word. Since „Versprechen“ is neuter, „Wahlversprechen“ is also neuter: das Wahlversprechen.

Plural Form:

The plural of „das Wahlversprechen“ is die Wahlversprechen.