der  Bundestag

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbʊndəsˌtaːk/

🏛️ What is "der Bundestag"?

Der Bundestag is the federal parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is the central legislative body at the federal level and is located in the Reichstag building in Berlin.

As a noun, Bundestag is masculine, so the definite article is always der.

• Meaning 1: The parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany. Example: Der Bundestag hat heute ein neues Gesetz verabschiedet. (The Bundestag passed a new law today.)
• Meaning 2: The building where the parliament convenes (often used synonymously with the Reichstag building, although technically not entirely correct). Example: Wir haben den Bundestag besichtigt. (We visited the Bundestag building.)

🚨 There are no exceptions regarding the article; it's always der Bundestag.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar in Detail: Der Bundestag

The word Bundestag is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural die Bundestage is rarely used and usually refers to historical or different parliamentary periods or the buildings of various (including historical) Bundestags.

Example Sentences

1. Der Bundestag wählt den Bundeskanzler.
   (The Bundestag elects the Federal Chancellor.)
2. Die Entscheidung des Bundestages wurde kontrovers diskutiert.
   (The decision of the Bundestag was discussed controversially.)
3. Die Abgeordneten gehören dem Bundestag an.
   (The members of parliament belong to the Bundestag.)
4. Viele Schulklassen besuchen den Bundestag in Berlin.
   (Many school classes visit the Bundestag in Berlin.)
5. Die Arbeit der verschiedenen Bundestage seit 1949 ist gut dokumentiert.
   (The work of the various Bundestags since 1949 is well documented. - rare plural usage)

🗣️ How to Use "Bundestag"

Der Bundestag is mainly used in political, news, and official contexts.

• Political Debates & Legislation: When discussing laws, elections, or the work of the members of parliament (Abgeordnete). Example: Im Bundestag wird über den Haushalt debattiert. (The budget is being debated in the Bundestag.)
• News Reports: In reports about German politics. Example: Die Nachrichtenagentur meldet aus dem Bundestag... (The news agency reports from the Bundestag...)
• Everyday Language: Also known in general conversation when talking about federal politics. Example: Was macht eigentlich der Bundestag den ganzen Tag? (What does the Bundestag actually do all day?)

Distinction from Similar Terms

• Parlament: A more general term for a representative assembly. Der Bundestag *is* the German federal parliament.
• Bundesrat: The representation of the federal states (Bundesländer), a second chamber alongside the Bundestag. Not to be confused!
• Landtag: The parliament of an individual German federal state (e.g., der Bayerische Landtag - the Bavarian State Parliament).
• Reichstagsgebäude: The historic building in Berlin where the Bundestag meets. Often, Bundestag is also used synonymously for the building.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Bundestag"

Remembering the article "der":

Imagine important men (masculine -> der) from the Bund (federation) gathering for an important Tag (day/session). Der Bund + Der Tag = Der Bundestag.

Remembering the meaning:

The Bund (the federation/republic) holds an important Tag (meeting, session, assembly) – and they do it in the Bundestag.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different terms:

• Landtag: Parliament of a federal state (Bundesland).
• Bundesversammlung: (Federal Convention) Body that elects the Federal President, convenes only for this purpose.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt ein Tourist den Taxifahrer in Berlin: "Ist das da vorne der Bundestag?"
Antwortet der Taxifahrer: "Teils, teils. Vorne ist der Bundestag, hinten ist der Zirkus."

English Translation: A tourist asks the taxi driver in Berlin: "Is that the Bundestag up ahead?"
The taxi driver replies: "Partly. The front is the Bundestag, the back is the circus."

(A classic joke about the sometimes perceived chaotic nature of politics)

📜 Poem about the Bundestag

German:
Im hohen Haus, am Spree-Revier,
Tagt der Bundestag, das sind wir –
Naja, die Vertreter, klug und schlicht,
Debattieren viel bei Tageslicht.
Gesetze machen, groß und klein,
So soll die Politik hier sein.
Mal laut, mal leis', mal mit Elan,
Zieht Deutschland seine Politik-Bahn.

English Translation:
In the high house, by the river Spree,
Convenes the Bundestag, that is we –
Well, the representatives, smart and plain,
Debating much in sun and rain.
Making laws, both big and small,
That's how politics should enthrall.
Sometimes loud, sometimes low, with zest,
Germany puts its politics to the test.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich habe einen Adler, groß und breit,
Und sitze in Berlin, zur Politik bereit.
Mit Abgeordneten, die diskutieren,
Und Gesetze für das Land formulieren.
Mein Artikel ist männlich, das ist klar,
Ich bin die Volksvertretung, Jahr für Jahr.

Wer bin ich? ... Der Bundestag

English Translation:
I have an eagle, large and wide,
And sit in Berlin, ready for politics' tide.
With representatives who discuss and debate,
And formulate laws for the nation's fate.
My article is masculine, that much is clear,
I am the people's representation, year after year.

Who am I? ... Der Bundestag (The Bundestag)

💡 Other Information

Word Origin (Etymology)

The word Bundestag is composed of:

• Bund: Refers to the federation (Bundesstaat), the Federal Republic of Germany.
• Tag: Here has the historical meaning of "assembly" or "court day" (compare Reichstag, Landtag). The Old High German word "tag" meant not only "day" (time), but also "fixed time, appointment, assembly".

Trivia

• The building where the Bundestag meets is the Reichstagsgebäude (Reichstag Building), which has a turbulent history and was remodeled after German reunification. Its glass dome is a famous Berlin landmark.
• The members of the Bundestag (Abgeordnete) are directly elected by the people every four years.