der  Gesetzgeber

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈzɛtsɡeːbɐ/

📜 What does "der Gesetzgeber" mean?

Der Gesetzgeber refers to the person or institution that enacts or creates laws. It is a masculine noun.

• Meaning 1: An institution or body that has legislative power (e.g., the parliament, the Bundestag). Example: Der Gesetzgeber hat eine neue Steuerreform beschlossen. (The legislature passed a new tax reform.)
• Meaning 2: An individual person involved in legislation (often used in the plural: die Gesetzgeber). Example: Der einzelne Gesetzgeber stimmte gegen den Entwurf. (The individual legislator voted against the draft.)

It's important to note that the word is mostly used in the singular to refer to the legislative power as a whole, even if it consists of many people.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Gesetzgeber

The noun "Gesetzgeber" is masculine and follows the weak N-declension (except for the genitive singular).

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Example Sentences

• Der Gesetzgeber muss die Auswirkungen neuer Regeln bedenken. (The legislator must consider the effects of new rules.)
• Die Entscheidung des Gesetzgebers wurde kritisiert. (The legislator's decision was criticized.)
• Man überlässt dem Gesetzgeber die Detailfragen. (The detailed questions are left to the legislator.)
• Wir beobachten den Gesetzgeber bei seiner Arbeit. (We observe the legislator at work.)
• Die Gesetzgeber kamen zu einer Einigung. (The legislators reached an agreement.)
• Die Aufgabe der Gesetzgeber ist komplex. (The task of the legislators is complex.)
• Die neuen Richtlinien wurden den Gesetzgebern vorgelegt. (The new guidelines were presented to the legislators.)
• Das Volk wählt die Gesetzgeber. (The people elect the legislators.)

🏛️ Usage in Context

"Der Gesetzgeber" is mainly used in political and legal language.

• Formal Context: In legal texts (Gesetzestexte), political debates, news reports, and academic papers on law and politics.
• Abstract Usage: Often, "der Gesetzgeber" is used as an abstract term for the legislative power, without referring to a specific person or group. Example: Was war die Absicht des Gesetzgebers bei dieser Formulierung? (What was the legislator's intention with this phrasing?)
• Feminine Form: The female form is "die Gesetzgeberin". In the plural, the masculine form "die Gesetzgeber" is usually used for mixed groups, although "die Gesetzgeberinnen und Gesetzgeber" is also common.

⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse with the Regierung (government) or the Exekutive (executive branch), which is responsible for implementing laws, while the Gesetzgeber creates them.

🧠 Mnemonics

Remembering the Article

Think of a powerful man (masculine → der) who gives (Geber) the laws (Gesetz). He is der Gesetzgeber.

Remembering the Meaning

Break it down: "Gesetz" means law, and "Geber" comes from the verb geben (to give). So, a Gesetzgeber is literally a "law-giver" or legislator.

🔄 Synonyms & Related Terms

🚨 Similar but Different Words:

• Gerichtsvollzieher: (Bailiff - enforces court judgments)
• Gesandter: (Envoy, emissary - diplomatic representative)

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Abgeordneter den anderen: "Warum sind Gesetze eigentlich so kompliziert geschrieben?"
Antwortet der andere: "Damit der Gesetzgeber immer etwas zu tun hat, sie zu erklären!"

(One parliament member asks another: "Why are laws actually written so complicatedly?"
The other replies: "So that the legislator always has something to do explaining them!")

📜 A Little Poem about the Legislator

Der Gesetzgeber, Tag und Nacht,
hat über Regeln nachgedacht.
Schreibt Paragraphen, lang und schwer,
für dich, für mich, fürs ganze Heer.
Mal klug, mal wirr, so ist das Spiel,
zu regeln gibt es immer viel.

(The legislator, day and night,
Has thought about the rules so right.
Writes paragraphs, both long and deep,
For you, for me, secrets to keep.
Sometimes smart, sometimes absurd, it's true,
There's always much regulating to do.)

🧩 Riddle

Ich gebe Regeln, schaffe Norm,
bin eine Person oder in großer Form.
Ich sitz im Plenum oder Rat,
und forme Recht für Staat und Stadt.

Wer bin ich?

(I give rules, create the norm,
I'm a person or in a larger form.
I sit in plenum or in council great,
And shape the law for city and state.

Who am I?)

Solution: Der Gesetzgeber (The Legislator)

💡 More Info

Word Composition

The word "Gesetzgeber" is a compound noun, formed from:

• Das Gesetz: The law - a binding rule for coexistence.
• Der Geber: The giver - a person who gives something (from the verb geben - to give).

Together, the meaning is: someone who gives/creates laws.

Historical Context

Der Begriff entwickelte sich mit der Entstehung moderner Staaten und der Gewaltenteilung. Früher waren oft Monarchen die alleinigen Gesetzgeber. (The term developed with the emergence of modern states and the separation of powers. Previously, monarchs were often the sole legislators.)