der  Bundesinnenminister

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbʊndəsˌɪnənˌmɪnistɐ/

🏛️ What does Bundesinnenminister mean?

The Bundesinnenminister is a member of the German federal government and head of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat, BMI). He is responsible for a wide range of areas including internal security, protection of the constitution, civil defense and disaster management, administration, integration, sports funding, and information technology.

It's a high-ranking political office in Germany. The female form is die Bundesinnenministerin.

Since the word specifically refers to the male holder of the office (or is used generically when gender is unknown or irrelevant, although the female form is preferred when referring to a woman), the article is always der.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar in Detail: Der Bundesinnenminister

The word "Bundesinnenminister" is a masculine noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Example Sentences

1. Der Bundesinnenminister stellte die neue Sicherheitsstrategie vor.
   (The Federal Minister of the Interior presented the new security strategy.)
2. Die Entscheidungen des Bundesinnenministers wurden kontrovers diskutiert.
   (The decisions of the Federal Minister of the Interior were discussed controversially.)
3. Man überreichte dem Bundesinnenminister eine Petition.
   (A petition was handed over to the Federal Minister of the Interior.)
4. Die Journalisten befragten den Bundesinnenminister zur aktuellen Lage.
   (The journalists asked the Federal Minister of the Interior about the current situation.)
5. Mehrere ehemalige Bundesinnenminister nahmen an der Veranstaltung teil.
   (Several former Federal Ministers of the Interior attended the event.)

🗣️ Context and Usage

The term Bundesinnenminister is mainly used in political and media contexts when reporting on the German federal government and domestic policy.

• Political Context: In debates, legislative proposals, government declarations.
• Media: In news articles, interviews, commentaries.
• Differentiation: It's important to distinguish it from the Landesinnenminister, who is responsible at the state level (Bundesland).
• Female Form: If the office is held by a woman, the correct term is die Bundesinnenministerin. Using the masculine form for a woman is considered outdated or imprecise.

🧠 Memory Aids

Remembering the Article: Der Minister is traditionally a man, so think "der Bundesinnenminister".

Remembering the Meaning: Think of "Innen" like "inside" Germany – this minister manages the internal affairs of the Bund (the federation).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Terms (Potential for Confusion):

• Landesinnenminister: Responsible for the interior policy of a federal state (Bundesland), not the federation.
• Bundesminister: General term for any minister in the federal government.

😄 A Little Joke

Ein Bürger fragt den Bundesinnenminister: "Herr Minister, fühlen Sie sich manchmal unsicher?" Antwortet der Minister: "Nein, wieso? Ich habe doch Bodyguards, eine gepanzerte Limousine und das ganze Ministerium hinter mir!" Sagt der Bürger: "Ich meine ja nur... wegen der Politik, die Sie machen..." 😉

Translation: A citizen asks the Federal Minister of the Interior: "Mr. Minister, do you sometimes feel unsafe?" The Minister replies: "No, why? I have bodyguards, an armored limousine, and the entire ministry behind me!" The citizen says: "I just meant... because of the policies you're making..." 😉

📜 A Short Poem

Im Bund, da wacht ein ernster Mann,
zieht für die Sicherheit den Plan.
Der Bundesinnenminister heißt,
was Schutz und Ordnung uns verheißt.
Von Pass bis Polizei, sein Feld ist weit,
für Deutschland, Tag und Nacht bereit.

Translation:
In the federation, a serious man watches,
drawing up the plan for security.
He's called the Federal Minister of the Interior,
promising protection and order to us.
From passports to police, his field is wide,
ready for Germany, day and night.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich trage Verantwortung für Schutz und Wehr im Land,
halte die Verwaltung fest in meiner Hand.
Mein Chef sitzt in Berlin, im Kabinett,
ich leite ein Ministerium, groß und adrett.
Mein Titel ist lang, klingt offiziell und schwer,
ich bin der...?

Translation:
I bear responsibility for protection and defense in the country,
I hold the administration firmly in my hand.
My boss sits in Berlin, in the cabinet,
I head a ministry, large and neat.
My title is long, sounds official and weighty,
I am the...?

Solution: der Bundesinnenminister (the Federal Minister of the Interior)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word is composed of three parts:

• Bund: Refers to the federal level of Germany (Federation).
• Innen: Refers to the internal affairs of the country.
• Minister: Denotes the high government office.

Trivia:

The Federal Ministry of the Interior (Bundesministerium des Innern, BMI) was originally founded in 1949. Its exact name and scope have changed slightly over the years (e.g., currently with the addition "und für Heimat" - "and for Community/Homeland").