der / die  Delegierte

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/deˈleɡiːʁtə/

🧐 What does Delegierte mean?

The word Delegierte is a substantivized participle (a participle used as a noun) and refers to a person who has been commissioned to represent a group or organization. It comes from the verb delegieren (to delegate).

There are two forms, depending on the gender of the person:

• der Delegierte: Refers to a male person sent as a representative or delegate.
• die Delegierte: Refers to a female person sent as a representative or delegate.

Both forms describe someone who participates in a conference, meeting, or similar body to represent the interests of others, often also exercising voting rights.

✍️ Grammar of Delegierte in Detail

"Delegierte" is a substantivized past participle of the verb "delegieren". It is declined like an adjective. The declension depends on the gender (masculine/feminine) and the preceding article (definite, indefinite) or pronoun.

Declension of "der Delegierte" (masculine)

Weak declension (after definite article 'der'):

Strong declension (no article):

Mixed declension (after indefinite article 'ein'):

Declension of "die Delegierte" (feminine)

Weak declension (after definite article 'die'):

Strong declension (no article):

Mixed declension (after indefinite article 'eine'):

Example Sentences

1. Der Delegierte der Gewerkschaft sprach auf der Konferenz.
   (The [male] delegate of the union spoke at the conference.)
2. Die Delegierte vertrat ihre Abteilung sehr überzeugend.
   (The [female] delegate represented her department very convincingly.)
3. Ein Delegierter meldete sich zu Wort.
   (A [male] delegate asked to speak.)
4. Ich sprach mit einer Delegierten über das Problem.
   (I spoke with a [female] delegate about the problem.)
5. Alle Delegierten stimmten über den Antrag ab.
   (All delegates voted on the motion.)

🌐 When to use Delegierte?

The term Delegierte(r) is mainly used in the context of meetings, conferences, party conventions, union meetings, or other organized gatherings where individuals act as representatives of a larger group.

• Politics & Associations: At party conventions (Parteitage) or association meetings (Verbandstreffen), delegates (Delegierte) represent the members of their local organization or region.
• Companies: Sometimes employees are sent as delegates (Delegierte) to conferences or training sessions.
• International Relations: Individuals representing a country in international organizations (e.g., UN) can also be called Delegierte, although terms like Abgesandter (envoy) or Vertreter (representative) are also common here.

Distinction from similar terms:

• Vertreter(in): A more general term for someone who represents someone or something. A Delegierte(r) is a specific type of Vertreter.
• Abgesandte(r): Similar to Delegierte(r), often entrusted with a specific mission or message, sometimes with a more diplomatic character (envoy).
• Beauftragte(r): Someone who has received a specific assignment (Auftrag), which doesn't always include a representative function.

⚠️ Be careful to use the correct gender (der/die) and the appropriate declension ending, as it is a substantivized participle that declines like an adjective.

💡 Mnemonics for Delegierte

For Article & Gender:
Think of the person: Is it a 'he' (ends in 'e', but think of 'der Mann')? Use der Delegierte.
Is it a 'she' (ends in 'e', but think of 'die Frau')? Use die Delegierte.
(The -e ending is the same for both in the nominative singular after the definite article, but the article itself tells you the gender.)

For the Meaning:
"Delegate" sounds like you "deliver" someone to represent a group. A Delegierte(r) is 'delivered' or sent on behalf of others.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution - Similar Words:

• Delegat(in): Often used synonymously with Delegierte(r), sometimes considered slightly more formal or specific (e.g., in certain organizations).
• Delegation: Refers to the group of delegates or the act of delegation itself.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Delegierter den anderen auf einer langen Konferenz: "Sag mal, glaubst du, unsere Beschlüsse hier ändern wirklich etwas?"
Antwortet der andere: "Aber sicher doch! Zumindest ändern sie das Datum der nächsten Konferenz." 😂

(One delegate asks another during a long conference: "Tell me, do you think our resolutions here actually change anything?"
The other replies: "Absolutely! At the very least, they change the date of the next conference." 😂)

📜 Little Poem

Ob der Delegierte, ob die Delegierte,
Man hat sie mit Mandat hierher expedierte.
Sie sitzen im Saal, hören Reden und Krach,
Vertreten die Basis, sind wachsam, sind wach.
Sie stimmen dann ab, mit Ja oder Nein,
So soll laut Satzung die Ordnung hier sein.

(Whether the [male] delegate, or the [female] delegate,
They were dispatched here with a mandate.
They sit in the hall, hear speeches and noise,
Represent the base, are alert, are awake.
They then vote, with yes or no,
Thus shall be the order according to the statutes.)

🧠 Riddle

Ich werde geschickt, doch bin kein Paket,
Vertrete die Vielen, wenn's um was geht.
Mal bin ich ein 'er', mal eine 'sie',
Auf Konferenzen triffst du mich früh.

Wer bin ich? 🤔
... Der Delegierte oder die Delegierte

(I am sent, but I'm not a package,
I represent the many when something's at stake.
Sometimes I'm a 'he', sometimes a 'she',
At conferences, you'll meet me early.

Who am I? 🤔
... The [male] delegate or the [female] delegate)

ℹ️ Further Information

Word Origin: The word comes from the Latin verb delegare, meaning "to send away," "to entrust," "to assign."

Plural Form: The plural is the same for both genders: die Delegierten (the delegates).
Example: Die Delegierten trafen sich zur Abstimmung. (The delegates met for the vote.)

Substantivization: This is an example of Substantivierung, where a participle (past participle of delegieren) is used as a noun. Other examples include der/die Angestellte (the employee), der/die Gefangene (the prisoner).