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Gesetzesentwurf
📜 What exactly is a Gesetzesentwurf?
A Gesetzesentwurf (article: der) is a formulated proposal for a new law (Gesetz) or for amending an existing one. It represents the first formal step in the legislative process, before it is discussed, possibly amended, and finally passed or rejected by the responsible bodies (like parliament).
It's essentially the text containing the planned regulations in detail. You can think of it as the 'draft text' of a future law.
Since the article is 'der', the word is masculine.
🧐 Grammar Focus: Der Gesetzesentwurf
The word 'Gesetzesentwurf' is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:
Singular Declension
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der Gesetzesentwurf | ein Gesetzesentwurf (a bill) |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des Gesetzesentwurf(e)s | eines Gesetzesentwurf(e)s (of a bill) |
| Dative (To/for whom?) | dem Gesetzesentwurf(e) | einem Gesetzesentwurf(e) (to/for a bill) |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den Gesetzesentwurf | einen Gesetzesentwurf (a bill) |
Plural Declension
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Gesetzesentwürfe | Gesetzesentwürfe (bills) |
| Genitive | der Gesetzesentwürfe | Gesetzesentwürfe (of bills) |
| Dative | den Gesetzesentwürfen | Gesetzesentwürfen (to/for bills) |
| Accusative | die Gesetzesentwürfe | Gesetzesentwürfe (bills) |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der zuständige Minister stellte den neuen Gesetzesentwurf vor.
(The responsible minister presented the new bill.) - Der Inhalt des Gesetzesentwurfes wird kontrovers diskutiert.
(The content of the draft law is being controversially discussed.) - Wir müssen dem Gesetzesentwurf noch einige Änderungen hinzufügen.
(We still need to add some amendments to the draft law.) - Das Parlament hat den Gesetzesentwurf heute beraten.
(Parliament discussed the bill today.) - Mehrere Gesetzesentwürfe liegen zur Abstimmung bereit.
(Several bills are ready for voting.)
🗣️ How to Use 'Gesetzesentwurf'?
The term Gesetzesentwurf is mainly used in political, legal, and administrative contexts. It describes a specific document within the legislative process (Gesetzgebungsprozess).
- Context: Politics, law, administration, news reports, discussions about new regulations.
- Usage: You talk about 'einen Gesetzesentwurf einbringen' (to introduce a bill), 'beraten' (to discuss/deliberate), 'ändern' (to amend), 'beschließen' (to pass/adopt), or 'ablehnen' (to reject).
- Distinction: A 'Gesetzesentwurf' is not yet an effective 'Gesetz' (law). It's a proposal. Similar terms are 'Gesetzesvorlage' or 'Gesetzesinitiative', often used synonymously, but may have slight nuances depending on context (e.g., who initiates it).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
For the Article (der): Think of the ending '-wurf' (throw, draft). Many words ending in '-wurf' are masculine (der Wurf - the throw, der Entwurf - the draft). Imagine a law being 'thrown' or drafted into the world by the (presumably male for the mnemonic) minister. Thus: der Gesetzesentwurf.
For the Meaning: A law isn't born fully formed; it's first 'entworfen' (drafted). Picture an architect drawing a 'Entwurf' (draft/blueprint) for a house (in this case, a law). The Gesetzesentwurf is the blueprint for the law.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Gesetzesvorlage: Very similar, often interchangeable. Perhaps emphasizes submission for review more.
- Gesetzesvorschlag: Similar, emphasizes the proposal character.
- Gesetzesinitiative: Often refers to the act of initiating or the group doing so, but can also mean the draft itself.
- Novelle (sometimes): Specifically refers to a draft amending an existing law.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Gesetz: The enacted, valid law (the result of the 'Entwurf').
- Verordnung: (Ordinance/Regulation) A legal norm usually issued by the executive based on a law (different level).
- Rechtskräftiges Urteil: (Legally binding judgment) A court decision, not a legislative proposal.
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse it with 'Entwurf' alone (which can also mean sketch, concept, etc.) or 'Gesetzgebung' (the legislative process itself).
😄 A Little Joke
Warum brauchen Gesetzesentwürfe so lange?
Weil sie erst durch den Ausschuss für unendliche Debatten müssen! 😄
(Why do bills take so long?
Because they first have to go through the committee for endless debates!)
📜 A Poem about the Draft Law
Ein Stapel Papier, klug erdacht,
Der Gesetzesentwurf, über Nacht?
Nein, beraten, geprüft, gewogen,
Bis ins Plenum dann getrogen.
Mal geliebt, mal stark kritisiert,
Bis er zum Gesetz wird, fein ziseliert.
(A stack of paper, cleverly devised,
The draft law, made overnight?
No, discussed, examined, weighed,
Then carried to the plenary session.
Sometimes loved, sometimes strongly criticized,
Until it becomes law, finely crafted.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Plan, noch nicht Gesetz,
Geschrieben mit viel Fleiß undätz'.
Im Bundestag werd' ich debattiert,
Bis man mich annimmt oder aussortiert.
Was bin ich?
(I am a plan, not yet a law,
Written with much diligence and flaw?
In Parliament, I am debated,
Until accepted or eliminated.
What am I?)
(Solution: der Gesetzesentwurf)
🧩 Word Components & Trivia
Word Composition:
The word 'Gesetzesentwurf' is a compound noun, composed of:
- Das Gesetz: The law, a binding legal norm.
- Der Entwurf: The draft, sketch, first proposal (from the verb 'entwerfen' - to draft, design).
Together, the meaning is: A draft for a law.
Trivia:
In Germany, the journey of a 'Gesetzesentwurf' from an idea to an enacted 'Gesetz' can be very complex, involving multiple readings in the Bundestag (federal parliament), the participation of the Bundesrat (federal council), and the signature of the Federal President.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Gesetzesentwurf?
The noun 'Gesetzesentwurf' is masculine. The correct article is der Gesetzesentwurf. The plural is die Gesetzesentwürfe.