der  Kanton

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kanˈtoːn/

🗺️ What exactly is a Kanton?

The German term der Kanton primarily refers to a constituent state, especially in Switzerland. It's comparable to a Bundesland (federal state) in Germany or Austria, but has its own distinct historical characteristics.

Here are the main meanings:

• Constituent State of the Swiss Confederation: This is the most common and well-known meaning. Switzerland consists of 26 Kantone (e.g., der Kanton Zürich, der Kanton Bern).
• Administrative district in other countries: In some other countries (e.g., France, Luxembourg, Belgium), a Kanton is a smaller administrative unit, often below an Arrondissement or Département.
• Historical/Military: Formerly, "Kanton" could also denote a district or area, e.g., in a military context, a recruitment district (Kantonssystem in Prussia).

🚨 Caution: The meaning and size of a Kanton vary significantly depending on the country. In German, without further context, it usually refers to a Swiss Kanton.

🧐 Grammar: Der Kanton in Detail

The word "Kanton" is a masculine noun. It takes the article der.

Declension

The declension follows the regular pattern for masculine nouns.

Example Sentences

1. Der Kanton Graubünden ist der größte Kanton der Schweiz.
   (The canton of Graubünden is the largest canton in Switzerland.)
2. Die Regierung des Kantons Wallis hat neue Maßnahmen beschlossen.
   (The government of the canton of Valais has decided on new measures.)
3. Wir fahren morgen in den Kanton Tessin.
   (We are travelling to the canton of Ticino tomorrow.)
4. In dem Kanton Genf wird hauptsächlich Französisch gesprochen.
   (In the canton of Geneva, French is mainly spoken.)
5. Die Schweiz besteht aus 26 Kantonen.
   (Switzerland consists of 26 cantons.)

🌐 How to Use "der Kanton"?

In the context of Switzerland:

• Very common in news, politics, geography, and tourism related to Switzerland.
• Often combined with the name of the canton: der Kanton Zürich (the canton of Zurich), im Kanton Luzern (in the canton of Lucerne), die Regierung des Kantons Bern (the government of the canton of Bern).
• Comparable to "state" (US) or "Bundesland" (Germany/Austria), but with differences in autonomy and structure. You do not say "Bundesland" for a Swiss canton.

In the context of other countries (less common in German):

• Refers to smaller administrative units, e.g., der Kanton Esch an der Alzette (Luxembourg).
• This usage is less common in general German language use.

Distinction from other terms:

• Bundesland: Federal state in Germany or Austria. Do not use for Switzerland!
• Provinz: Province; constituent state or administrative district in many other countries (e.g., Italy, Canada). Not used for Switzerland.
• Region: More general term for an area, but can also be a specific administrative level.

💡 How to Remember "der Kanton"

Article Mnemonic: Imagine the Swiss King ruling over his Kanton. (Using a masculine figure helps remember "der"). Alternatively, think of political/administrative terms often being masculine in German (der Staat, der Bezirk, der Bund).

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of a map of Switzerland drawn on a piece of carton (Carton -> Kanton), showing all its small parts (the cantons).

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Watch out for similar-sounding words:

• Kanon (der): Canon (set of rules, standard, also a type of musical composition). Completely different meaning!
• Karton (der): Cardboard, box. Sounds similar, but different meaning.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Frage: Warum nehmen Schweizer Beamte immer eine Leiter mit zur Arbeit? Antwort: Damit sie auf den höchsten Kanton kommen!

English: Question: Why do Swiss officials always take a ladder to work? Answer: So they can get to the highest Kanton! (Pun: "höchster Kanton" sounds like "höchsten Kanton" - highest canton, but plays on the idea of climbing high).

📜 A Little Poem

German:
In der Schweiz, da liegt die Kraft,
im Bund, der Einheit hat geschafft.
Doch teilt sich auf das schöne Land,
in manchen stolzen Kanton-Stand.

Von Genf bis St. Gallen, weit und breit,
regiert sich jeder selbst zur Seit'.
Der Kanton, er steht für sich,
mal groß, mal klein, ganz schweizerisch.

English:
In Switzerland, there lies the might,
In the union, forged with light.
But divided is the lovely land,
Into many a proud Kanton-stand.

From Geneva to St. Gallen's gate,
Each rules itself, seals its own fate.
Der Kanton, it stands alone,
Sometimes large, sometimes small, distinctly Swiss-known.

🧩 Who or What Am I?

German:
Ich bin ein Teil, doch nicht allein,
in einem Land am Alpenrhein.
Ich hab 'ne Hauptstadt, eig'nes Recht,
bin mal französisch, deutsch, ganz echt.
Man zählt mich sechsundzwanzig Mal,
in diesem Bund, neutral, normal.

Na, wer bin ich?

English:
I am a part, but not alone,
In a land by Alpine Rhine shown.
I have a capital, my own decree,
Sometimes French, sometimes German, truly me.
You count me twenty-six times in all,
In this federation, standing neutral and tall.

Well, who am I?

Solution: Der Kanton (in Switzerland)

✨ More about Kanton

Etymology:

The word "Kanton" comes from the French canton, which originally meant "corner", "district", or "region". It likely traces back to the Italian cantone ("corner", "angle"), an augmentative form of canto ("corner", "side"). The transfer to a territorial unit occurred in the late Middle Ages.

Trivia:

• The smallest Swiss cantons (Halbkantone - half-cantons) only have half a vote in the Council of States (e.g., Basel-Stadt, Obwalden).
• Each Kanton has its own constitution, government, and parliament.
• Official languages vary by Kanton (German, French, Italian, Romansh).