der
Gegenkandidat
🗳️ Meaning of Gegenkandidat
The German word der Gegenkandidat refers to a person who runs against another person in an election, a vote, or a competition. It signifies the direct opponent or competitor for an office, position, or prize.
The word is masculine, hence the article der.
Example: Der amtierende Bürgermeister hat einen starken Gegenkandidaten bei der nächsten Wahl. (The incumbent mayor has a strong opponent candidate in the next election.)
Article rules for der, die, and das
Male characters → always masculine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
📊 Grammar Explained: Der Gegenkandidat
The noun "Gegenkandidat" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Gegenkandidat |
| Genitive | des | Gegenkandidaten |
| Dative | dem | Gegenkandidaten |
| Accusative | den | Gegenkandidaten |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gegenkandidaten |
| Genitive | der | Gegenkandidaten |
| Dative | den | Gegenkandidaten |
| Accusative | die | Gegenkandidaten |
Example Sentences
- Der Gegenkandidat kritisierte die Politik des Amtsinhabers scharf. (The opponent candidate sharply criticized the incumbent's policy.)
- Die Argumente des Gegenkandidaten wurden in der Debatte widerlegt. (The arguments of the opponent candidate were refuted in the debate.)
- Man traute dem Gegenkandidaten keine echte Chance zu. (They didn't think the opponent candidate stood a real chance.)
- Die Partei stellte einen neuen Gegenkandidaten auf. (The party nominated a new opponent candidate.)
- Alle Gegenkandidaten trafen sich zu einer Podiumsdiskussion. (All opponent candidates met for a panel discussion.)
💡 How to Use 'Gegenkandidat'
The term "Gegenkandidat" is primarily used in the context of elections (political, but also in clubs, etc.) and competitions. It emphasizes the element of being 'against' (gegen), highlighting the opposition to another candidate.
- Politics: Very common in reports about mayoral, parliamentary, or presidential elections.
- Clubs/Organizations: Used for elections of board members or other positions.
- Competitions: Less common, but possible when referring to positions one is running for.
Distinction: While Konkurrent (competitor) or Mitbewerber (fellow applicant/competitor) can be more neutral and are also used in business contexts, Gegenkandidat specifically focuses on the role in an election or vote as a direct opponent.
🧠 Remembering 'Gegenkandidat'
Article Mnemonic: Think: A Kandidat is often a male person (or generically referred to as male), so it's der Kandidat. The one who runs gegen (against) him is der Gegenkandidat.
Meaning Mnemonic: The German word Gegen means 'against'. So, a Gegenkandidat is literally someone who is a candidate running 'against' another.
🔄 Similar & Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Kontrahent: Emphasizes the opponent aspect, often in a direct confrontation.
- Konkurrent: General term for someone competing (also in business).
- Mitbewerber: Similar to Konkurrent, often slightly more neutral (fellow competitor/applicant).
- Herausforderer: Challenger, someone who challenges the incumbent.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Verbündeter: Ally, someone on the same side.
- Parteifreund/Parteikollege: Fellow party member (can ironically also be an internal opponent candidate).
- Amtsinhaber: Incumbent, the person currently holding the office (against whom the Gegenkandidat runs).
- Unterstützer: Supporter, someone who promotes a candidate, not runs against them.
⚠️ Caution: A Mitbewerber can also be a Gegenkandidat, but Gegenkandidat places a stronger emphasis on direct opposition in an election.
😄 A Little Joke
Frage: Was sagt ein übermäßig selbstbewusster Politiker über seinen Gegenkandidaten?
Antwort: "Gegenkandidat? Ich dachte, das wäre nur das Wahlplakat zum Üben meiner Unterschrift!"
Translation:
Question: What does an overly confident politician say about his opponent candidate?
Answer: "Opponent candidate? I thought that was just the campaign poster for practicing my signature!"
📜 A Short Poem
Der Wahlkampf tobt, die Luft ist rein,
da tritt er auf, will Sieger sein.
Der Amtsinhaber schaut nervös,
der Gegenkandidat wirkt furios.
Mit Reden scharf und Plänen neu,
macht er dem Alten manch Scheu.
Wer das Rennen macht, wird sich bald zeigen,
doch ohne ihn gäb's kein' Wahlkampf-Reigen.
Translation:
The campaign rages, the air is clear,
he steps right up, wants victory near.
The incumbent looks on nervously,
the opponent candidate seems furious(ly determined).
With sharp speeches and plans anew,
he makes the old one feel askew.
Who wins the race, we'll soon see,
but without him, no campaign spree.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich trete an, doch nicht allein,
will Posten, Amt und Stimmenschein.
Mein Ziel ist klar, ich will nach vorn,
doch steh' ich einem andern gegenüber, voller Zorn (oder Eifer).
Wer bin ich, der im Wahlkampf steht,
und gegen jemand anders geht?
Translation:
I run for office, but not alone,
I want the post, the seat, the voter's tone.
My goal is clear, I want to lead,
but face another, full of wrath (or zeal indeed).
Who am I, in the campaign's fight,
running against someone else's might?
Solution: Der Gegenkandidat (The opponent candidate)
🧩 More to Know
Word Composition
The word "Gegenkandidat" is a compound noun, formed from:
- Gegen-: Prefix expressing opposition, resistance, or counteraction ('against').
- Kandidat: Candidate, a person applying for an office or prize (from Latin candidatus = 'dressed in white', as applicants in ancient Rome wore white togas).
So, literally, it means someone who stands 'against' another applicant.
Feminine Form
The feminine form is die Gegenkandidatin.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Gegenkandidat?
The word "Gegenkandidat" is masculine, so the correct article is der. It refers to a person running against another candidate in an election or competition.