der  Außenminister

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsn̩ˌmɪnistɐ/

🌍 What exactly is an Außenminister?

The Außenminister is the head of the foreign ministry (in Germany called Auswärtiges Amt). He is a member of the government responsible for the country's foreign policy, maintaining diplomatic relations with other states and international organizations, and protecting the interests of the country and its citizens abroad.

It is a masculine noun (the feminine form is die Außenministerin).

⚠️ Important: The term refers to a specific political function. In the US, the equivalent position is the Secretary of State. In the UK, it's the Foreign Secretary.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: Der Außenminister

The word "Außenminister" is a masculine noun. The article is der.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

Example Sentences

• Der Außenminister reist zu wichtigen Verhandlungen ins Ausland. (The Foreign Minister travels abroad for important negotiations.)
• Die Rede des Außenministers wurde international beachtet. (The Foreign Minister's speech received international attention.)
• Man überreichte dem Außenminister ein Gastgeschenk. (They presented the Foreign Minister with a guest gift.)
• Die Kanzlerin traf den Außenminister zu einem Gespräch. (The Chancellor met the Foreign Minister for a discussion.)
• Die Außenminister der EU-Staaten treffen sich regelmäßig. (The Foreign Ministers of the EU countries meet regularly.)

🗣️ How is "Außenminister" used?

The term "Außenminister" is primarily used in a political context.

• Context: Politics, international relations, diplomacy, news reports.
• Formality: Used in official reports, speeches, and documents.
• Everyday Language: Also common in news and political discussions.
• Distinction: While the Innenminister (Minister of the Interior) is responsible for internal security, the Außenminister deals with relationships with other countries. The exact title can vary internationally (e.g., Secretary of State in the USA).
• Feminine Form: For women holding this position, the form die Außenministerin (plural: die Außenministerinnen) is used.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic (der)

Think: The Minister is often a man, so it's "der". Alternatively, remember important political roles like der Kanzler, der Präsident, der Minister are often masculine.

Meaning Mnemonic

Außen means 'outside'. An Außenminister is the minister dealing with matters outside the country. They represent the nation 'out there' on the world stage. 🌍

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Note: The exact title and responsibilities can vary by country. The US Secretary of State and the UK Foreign Secretary are equivalents.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Bürger den Außenminister: "Herr Minister, was ist eigentlich der Unterschied zwischen Diplomatie und Takt?"
Der Außenminister überlegt kurz und sagt: "Wenn ich zu einem Botschafter sage 'Ihr Benehmen ist unmöglich!', dann ist das Takt. Wenn ich sage 'Ihr Benehmen ist diplomatisch höchst ungeschickt!', dann ist das... auch Takt. Aber wenn ein anderer Außenminister *mir* das sagt, ist es eine ungeheuerliche Provokation!" 😉

Translation: A citizen asks the Foreign Minister: "Mr. Minister, what's the difference between diplomacy and tact?"
The Foreign Minister thinks for a moment and says: "If I tell an ambassador 'Your behavior is impossible!', that's tact. If I say 'Your behavior is diplomatically highly clumsy!', that's... also tact. But if another Foreign Minister says that *to me*, it's an outrageous provocation!" 😉

📜 Poem about the Außenminister

Der Außenminister, klug und gewandt,
Reist für das Land durch fremdes Land.
Mit Worten als Waffe, scharf und fein,
Tritt er für Frieden und Verträge ein.

Er spricht mit Präsidenten, Königen gleich,
Macht Politik im globalen Reich.
Vertritt die Heimat, fern und nah,
Der Chefdiplomat ist immer da.

Translation:
The Foreign Minister, clever and skilled,
Travels for the country through foreign fields.
With words as weapons, sharp and fine,
He advocates for peace and treaty's sign.

He speaks with presidents, like royalty,
Makes politics in the global sovereignty.
Represents the homeland, far and near,
The chief diplomat is always here.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich reise viel, doch bin kein Tourist,
Vertrete mein Land, woanders es ist.
Ich schüttle Hände, führe Gespräch,
Für Frieden zu sorgen, ist mein Bereich.
Mein Amt ist im Kabinett zuhaus,
Ich bin der...?

Lösung / Solution: der Außenminister

Translation:
I travel a lot, but I'm no tourist,
I represent my country, where elsewhere it exists.
I shake hands, hold talks,
Ensuring peace is among my walks.
My office is at home in the cabinet seat,
I am the...?

➕ Other Information

Word Composition

The word "Außenminister" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Außen: Adverb or prefix referring to the outside, foreign countries.
• Minister: Government official, head of a ministry.

Trivia

• In Germany, the corresponding ministry is officially called "Auswärtiges Amt" (Federal Foreign Office).
• Hans-Dietrich Genscher was one of the most famous and longest-serving German Foreign Ministers.
• Germany's first female Foreign Minister was Annalena Baerbock (starting in 2021).