der
Koalitionspartner
🏛️ What does "der Koalitionspartner" mean?
Der Koalitionspartner refers to a political party or parliamentary group that has joined forces with one or more other parties to form a government coalition and govern together. It's the partner within a political coalition.
The word is masculine, so the article is "der". The feminine form is "die Koalitionspartnerin".
Example: The SPD is currently a Koalitionspartner of the Greens and the FDP in the federal government. (Die SPD ist aktuell ein Koalitionspartner der Grünen und der FDP in der Bundesregierung.)
Article rules for der, die, and das
Male characters → always masculine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
-ner → almost always masculine.
Compare with the category '-er'.
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Koalitionspartner
"Koalitionspartner" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Koalitionspartner |
| Accusative | den | Koalitionspartner |
| Dative | dem | Koalitionspartner |
| Genitive | des | Koalitionspartners |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Koalitionspartner |
| Accusative | die | Koalitionspartner |
| Dative | den | Koalitionspartnern |
| Genitive | der | Koalitionspartner |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Kanzler traf sich mit dem wichtigsten Koalitionspartner.
(The Chancellor met with the most important coalition partner.) - Die Verhandlungen zwischen den Koalitionspartnern dauerten lange.
(The negotiations between the coalition partners took a long time.) - Man sucht nach einem neuen Koalitionspartner.
(They are looking for a new coalition partner.) - Die Zustimmung des Koalitionspartners ist erforderlich.
(The consent of the coalition partner is required.)
💡 How to use "Koalitionspartner"?
The term "Koalitionspartner" is primarily used in a political context, especially when discussing government formation, coalition negotiations, or cooperation within a governing coalition.
- In news and analysis: Reports on political developments, government stability, or conflicts within a coalition.
- In political discussions: When politicians or citizens talk about government compositions and political alliances.
- Compared to other terms:
- Verbündeter (ally): Can be used more broadly, also outside politics (e.g., military, personal). "Koalitionspartner" is specific to a government coalition.
- Parteifreund (party colleague/friend): Refers to members of the same party, not necessarily partners in government.
⚠️ Be sure to use the term correctly in its political context. It implies a formal agreement for governmental cooperation.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
For the article (der): Remember that "der Partner" is masculine. A Koalitionspartner represents a group (party) often personified as male in grammatical gender, or it can be a specific male politician. The base word "Partner" is masculine: der (Koalitions)Partner.
For the meaning: Imagine a political wedding (Koalition = coalition) where two or more parties say "I do" to governing together. Each party that agrees is a Koalitions-Partner.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Koalitionspartner
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Bündnispartner (alliance partner): Very similar, emphasizes the alliance aspect in politics.
- Regierungspartner (government partner): Emphasizes shared governmental responsibility.
- Verbündeter (ally): More general, can also refer to looser political alliances.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Opponent (opponent): General political adversary.
- Gegner (adversary, opponent): Someone who is against something or someone.
- Rivale (rival): Competitor, often for power or influence.
- Oppositionspartei (opposition party): Party/parties not part of the governing coalition.
⚠️ Similar but different terms:
- Koalitionär: A person belonging to or representing a coalition party (less common than Koalitionspartner).
- Koalitionsvertrag: The coalition agreement/treaty that regulates the cooperation between coalition partners.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Journalist den Politiker: "Wie ist die Stimmung zwischen den Koalitionspartnern?"
Antwortet der Politiker: "Ausgezeichnet! Wir sind uns in einem Punkt völlig einig: Die anderen sind schuld!" 😄
Translation:
A journalist asks a politician: "How is the atmosphere between the coalition partners?"
The politician replies: "Excellent! We completely agree on one point: It's the others' fault!" 😄
✍️ Poem about Coalition Partners
Zwei Parteien, manchmal drei,
Sind sich selten einerlei.
Sie schmieden einen Pakt, ganz klar,
Sind Koalitionspartner, Jahr für Jahr.
Mal Streit, mal Harmonie,
So läuft's in der Demokratie.
Der Partner zieht am selben Strang,
Zumindest meistens, nicht sehr lang'. 😉
Translation:
Two parties, sometimes three,
Rarely see things identically.
They forge a pact, it's clear,
Are coalition partners, year after year.
Sometimes conflict, sometimes harmony,
That's how it works in democracy.
The partner pulls on the same rope,
At least mostly, not for long, one hopes. 😉
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin kein Freund, doch oft verbündet,
Hab' einen Vertrag mit dir gegründet.
Im Bundestag sitz' ich dir nah,
Gemeinsam regieren, das ist wahr.
Wer bin ich, im politischen Spiel der Macht?
(Maskulin, bitte dran gedacht!)
Translation:
I'm not a friend, but often allied,
A contract with you I have tied.
In parliament, I sit near you,
Governing together, it is true.
Who am I, in the political game of might?
(Masculine, keep that in sight!)
Solution: Der Koalitionspartner
🧩 Word Composition & Trivia
The word "Koalitionspartner" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Die Koalition: from Latin coalitio = “growing together”, “union”. Refers to an alliance or union, usually of political parties.
- The linking element "-s-": Connects the two parts of the word.
- Der Partner: from Latin partiarius = “sharer”. Refers to a person or group with whom one collaborates or is associated.
Trivia: The search for suitable Koalitionspartner after an election in Germany can often take weeks or even months and involves intensive negotiations.
Feminine form: The feminine form is "die Koalitionspartnerin". Plural: "die Koalitionspartnerinnen".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Koalitionspartner?
The noun "Koalitionspartner" is masculine. The correct article is der: der Koalitionspartner. The feminine form is "die Koalitionspartnerin", and the plural is "die Koalitionspartner".