der  Gesetzentwurf

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈzɛtsˌʔɛntvʊʁf/

📜 What Exactly is a Gesetzentwurf?

A Gesetzentwurf (masculine, article: der) is the formal proposal for a new law or an amendment to an existing law in German-speaking contexts. It's the text drafted by a government, a member of parliament, or another authorized body and submitted to the parliament (e.g., the Bundestag in Germany) for deliberation and enactment.

Before a Gesetzentwurf becomes an applicable Gesetz (law), it goes through several stages of the legislative process, including readings, committee consultations, and votes.

There's only this one article, der, for the word Gesetzentwurf. There are no other meanings associated with different articles. ⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with the finished Gesetz (law)!

🧐 Grammar: Declining "der Gesetzentwurf"

The noun "Gesetzentwurf" is masculine. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

• Der neue Gesetzentwurf wurde heute im Parlament vorgestellt. (The new bill was presented in parliament today.)
• Die Details des Gesetzentwurfs sind noch umstritten. (The details of the draft law are still controversial.)
• Dem Gesetzentwurf muss der Bundesrat noch zustimmen. (The Bundesrat still has to approve the bill.)
• Die Opposition kritisierte den Gesetzentwurf scharf. (The opposition sharply criticized the draft law.)
• Mehrere Gesetzentwürfe liegen zur Beratung vor. (Several bills / draft laws are available for consultation.)

🏛️ Context Matters: When to Use Gesetzentwurf

The term Gesetzentwurf is primarily used in political and legal language. It refers to the specific proposed text that forms the basis for parliamentary debate and the legislative process.

• Typical Contexts: Parliamentary debates, political news reports, legal discussions, legislative procedures.
• Distinction: A Gesetzentwurf is not yet a valid Gesetz (law). It's a proposal that still needs to be passed. An Initiative (initiative) can lead to the introduction of a Gesetzentwurf but is more general. A Verordnung (ordinance, regulation) is a legal norm usually issued by the executive branch and ranks below a Gesetz.
• Common Verbs: einen Gesetzentwurf einbringen (to introduce), vorlegen (to submit), beraten (to deliberate), diskutieren (to discuss), ändern (to amend), verabschieden (to pass), ablehnen (to reject).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of the 'Wurf' (throw, draft) in Gesetzentwurf. A throw can be seen as an active, 'masculine' action – hence der Wurf, der Entwurf.

Meaning Mnemonic: An 'Entwurf' is something preliminary, not yet finished – like a first 'throw' or plan (draft). A Gesetzentwurf is therefore the first 'draft' of a law (Gesetz).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Gesetzentwurf

⚠️ Similar but Different Terms

• Referentenentwurf: An initial 'ministerial draft', often created within a ministry before being officially introduced.
• Diskussionsentwurf: A 'discussion draft', primarily intended to stimulate debate.

😂 A Little Joke

Ein Abgeordneter fragt den anderen: "Hast du den neuen Gesetzentwurf zur Regulierung von Zeitreisen gelesen?" Sagt der andere: "Noch nicht, aber ich werde ihn letzte Woche gelesen haben."

Translation: One Member of Parliament asks another: "Have you read the new bill regulating time travel?" The other replies: "Not yet, but I will have read it last week."

📜 A Little Poem

Ein Stapel Papier, klug erdacht,
Der Gesetzentwurf, zur Nacht gebracht.
Paragraphen dicht, die Worte schwer,
Im Bundestag debattiert man sehr.
Wird er Gesetz, stark und gerecht?
Oder landet er im Ausschuss schlecht?
Die Zukunft formt sich, Satz für Satz,
Ein neuer Plan für Recht und Platz.

Translation:
A stack of paper, cleverly conceived,
The draft law, brought forth as believed.
Paragraphs dense, the words carry weight,
In Parliament, they hold much debate.
Will it become law, strong and just?
Or in committee gather dust?
The future takes shape, line by line,
A new plan for order and design.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Plan, doch noch kein Haus.
Ich regel viel, doch bin's noch nicht aus.
Das Parlament berät mich heiß,
Bevor ich geltendes Recht heiß'.

Was bin ich?
(Lösung: der Gesetzentwurf)

Translation:
I am a plan, but not yet a house.
I regulate much, but I'm not yet fully out.
Parliament debates me keenly,
Before I'm called binding legality.

What am I?
(Solution: der Gesetzentwurf / the bill / the draft law)

🧩 Other Interesting Details

Word Composition

The word "Gesetzentwurf" is a compound noun, made up of:

• Gesetz: A generally binding legal norm ('law').
• Entwurf: A 'plan', 'sketch', 'draft', or preliminary version.

Together, it thus describes the preliminary version of a law.

Trivia

In Germany, Gesetzentwürfe can be introduced by the Federal Government (Bundesregierung), from within the Bundestag (by a parliamentary group or a specified number of MPs), or by the Bundesrat (Federal Council). The path of a Gesetzentwurf to becoming a finished Gesetz can often be long and complex.