der
Hauptausschuss
🏛️ What exactly is a Hauptausschuss?
Der Hauptausschuss is a central committee or board, often within a larger organization like a parliament, a party, an association, or a company. It typically has important coordinating, preparatory, or decision-making functions. You can think of it as a kind of steering committee (Lenkungsgremium) that often meets between the sessions of the parent body (e.g., the plenary session in parliament) and prepares its work or takes on specific tasks.
Imagine a large ship (die Organisation) needing a smaller, more agile boat (der Hauptausschuss) to quickly make or prepare important course decisions.
It's always der Hauptausschuss (masculine).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-us/-uss/-uß → mostly masculine.
Including -ismus nouns (100% masculine, e.g. der Tourismus)
🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: Der Hauptausschuss
The word "Hauptausschuss" is a masculine noun. The article is der.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Hauptausschuss |
| Genitive | des | Hauptausschusses |
| Dative | dem | Hauptausschuss(e) |
| Accusative | den | Hauptausschuss |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Hauptausschüsse |
| Genitive | der | Hauptausschüsse |
| Dative | den | Hauptausschüssen |
| Accusative | die | Hauptausschüsse |
Examples in Action
- Der Hauptausschuss tagt morgen Vormittag.
(The main committee meets tomorrow morning.) - Die Entscheidung des Hauptausschusses wurde allen Mitgliedern mitgeteilt.
(The decision of the main committee was communicated to all members.) - Wir müssen den Antrag dem Hauptausschuss vorlegen.
(We have to submit the proposal to the main committee.) - Der Vorstand hat den Hauptausschuss mit der Prüfung beauftragt.
(The board commissioned the main committee with the review.) - Viele wichtige Themen werden in den Hauptausschüssen der Parlamente vorbereitet.
(Many important topics are prepared in the main committees of the parliaments.)
💼 When and where is "Hauptausschuss" used?
The term "Hauptausschuss" is primarily used in formal and official contexts:
- Parliaments and Politics: In many parliaments (like the German Bundestag or state parliaments, Landtage), there is a Hauptausschuss that plays a central role, often in budget planning or between plenary sessions.
- Parties and Associations: Larger political parties or associations often have a Hauptausschuss as an important decision-making body.
- Local Government: In cities and municipalities (Städte und Gemeinden), there is frequently a Hauptausschuss within the local council (Gemeinderat or Stadtrat).
- Companies: Less commonly, but also possible in large companies or organizations, there might be a committee with this name performing similar steering functions.
In general everyday language, the word is less common unless specifically discussing these bodies. It tends to sound formal and bureaucratic.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: The HAUPTain (sounds like Haupt-, captain is masculine, 'der') sits on the main committee (Hauptausschuss).
Meaning Mnemonic: The Hauptausschuss is the 'head' (Haupt) committee, the main one that deals with important stuff before everyone else hears about it. It 'shoots out' (Ausschuss sounds a bit like 'out-shoot') the main topics.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Lenkungsausschuss: (Steering committee) - Emphasizes the guiding function.
- Zentralausschuss: (Central committee) - Emphasizes the central position.
- Exekutivausschuss: (Executive committee) - Emphasizes executive or decision-making power (more common in Anglo-American contexts).
- Präsidium / Vorstand: (Presidium / Board) - Depending on the structure, these bodies can have similar tasks to a Hauptausschuss, but are often the highest leadership level.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Unterausschuss: (Subcommittee) - A committee subordinate to the Hauptausschuss or another higher body, dealing with more specific topics.
- Fachausschuss: (Specialist committee) - Focuses on a specific subject area, whereas the Hauptausschuss often has a broader, coordinating role.
- Plenum / Vollversammlung: (Plenary / General assembly) - The body to which the Hauptausschuss often reports or is subordinate (e.g., all members of a parliament).
⚠️ Caution: Not every committee (Ausschuss) is a Hauptausschuss. The term implies special importance or a central position.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Abgeordneter den anderen: "Warum dauert die Sitzung des Hauptausschusses immer so lange?"Antwortet der andere: "Weil dort die Neben-Sachen zur Haupt-Sache gemacht werden!" 😉
(One member of parliament asks another: "Why do the main committee meetings always take so long?"
The other replies: "Because that's where side issues (Nebensachen) are turned into the main issue (Hauptsache)!" - It's a pun on Haupt = main/head and Neben = side/secondary.)
📜 The Hauptausschuss Convenes
Im großen Haus, da sitzt ein Kreis,
der Hauptausschuss, nach altem Brauch.
\Man diskutiert, mal laut, mal leis,
\entscheidet viel, fürs Land, für auch
\den kleinen Mann, so hofft man doch,
evor es geht ins große Plenum-Loch.
(In the great house, a circle sits,
the main committee, by ancient rites.
They discuss, sometimes loud, sometimes quiet bits,
decide much, for the country, for also
the common man, or so one hopes yet,
before it goes into the great plenary pit.)
❓ Who or What Am I?
Ich bin kein Kopf, doch leite oft als Haupt.
\Ich schieße nichts, doch bin ein Ausschuss laut Benennung.
\Im Parlament, Verein, da wird mir gern vertraut,
\wichtige Dinge zu beraten, ohne Trennung.
Wer bin ich?
(I have no head, yet often lead as 'Haupt' (head/main).
I shoot nothing, yet am an 'Ausschuss' (committee/shooting out) by name.
In parliament, club, I am readily trusted
to discuss important matters, without separation.
Who am I?)
Solution: Der Hauptausschuss (The Main Committee)
💡 More to Know
Word Composition
The word "Hauptausschuss" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Haupt-: Meaning 'main', 'principal', 'leading' here.
- Ausschuss: A committee or board selected ('shot out' or chosen) from a larger group (e.g., parliament, association) to handle specific tasks.
Together, they form the meaning of a central, important committee.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Hauptausschuss?
The word "Hauptausschuss" is always masculine. The correct article is der. It refers to a central, important committee or board within organizations like parliaments or associations.