der  Magistrat

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/maɡisˈtʁaːt/

🏛️ What does 'der Magistrat' mean?

Der Magistrat (masculine) refers, particularly in some German states like *Hessen*, as well as historically and in other countries (e.g., Austria), to a collegial administrative body of a city. It often represents the executive branch (*die Exekutive*) at the municipal level, comparable to a city government or city council in other systems.

Der Magistrat typically consists of the mayor (*der Bürgermeister*) or lord mayor (*der Oberbürgermeister*) as chairperson and several honorary (*ehrenamtlich*) or full-time (*hauptamtlich*) aldermen or councillors (*Beigeordnete* or *Stadträte*).

⚠️ Attention: The exact composition, function, and designation can vary depending on the municipal code (*Gemeindeordnung*) of the respective federal state (*Bundesland*) or country.

🧐 Grammar of 'der Magistrat' in Detail

The word 'Magistrat' is a masculine noun.

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Der Magistrat der Stadt Frankfurt tritt wöchentlich zusammen. (The city council of Frankfurt meets weekly.)
2. Die Entscheidung wurde vom Magistrat getroffen. (The decision was made by the city council.)
3. Dem Magistrat gehören mehrere Dezernenten an. (Several department heads belong to the city council.)
4. Die Zuständigkeiten der einzelnen Magistrate sind klar definiert. (The responsibilities of the individual city councils are clearly defined.)

🗣️ How 'Magistrat' is used

The term 'Magistrat' is mainly used in administrative and political language when referring to the administration of specific cities.

• Context: Municipal politics (*Kommunalpolitik*), city administration (*Stadtverwaltung*), public administration (*öffentliche Verwaltung*).
• Regional Differences: Particularly common in *Hessen* and *Bremen* (where it refers to the Senate of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, whose members can also be called *Magistratsmitglieder*, and historically also in Berlin). In Austria, *der Magistrat* refers to the administration of a statutory city (*Statutarstadt*).
• Distinction: In many other German federal states, the terms *Stadtrat* (city council, often legislative), *Gemeinderat* (municipal council), or *Stadtverwaltung* (city administration as a whole) are used instead. *Der Magistrat* specifically refers to the collegial governing body (*Leitungsgremium*), not the entire administration or the elected representative body (*Stadtverordnetenversammlung*).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article 'der': Think of der Bürgermeister (*the mayor*) or der Rat (*the council*). *Der Magistrat* is a masculine entity (historically) or a specific body often led by a man (*Bürgermeister*) – hence der Magistrat.

Meaning: *Magistrat* sounds similar to the English word magistrate, which relates to officials and authority. Think of the city's 'magistrates' forming the council: *der Magistrat*.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Similar, but different words:

• Magister: Academic degree (*Master's*).
• Administration: General term for *Verwaltung*.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Bürger den anderen: "Warum dauert im Rathaus alles so lange?" Antwortet der andere: "Na, weil der Magistrat erst mal beraten muss, ob er zuständig ist, zu beraten!" 😉

(A citizen asks another: "Why does everything take so long at city hall?" The other replies: "Well, because the Magistrat first has to deliberate whether it's their responsibility to deliberate!")

📜 Poem about the Magistrat

Der Magistrat, mit ernster Miene,
dient der Stadt und der Kommune.
Plant die Straßen, baut die Schulen,
sitzt zusammen auf den Stuhlen.
Beschlüsse fassen, das ist Pflicht,
für Ordnung, Wohl und gutes Licht.
Ein Gremium, das die Stadt bewegt,
hat Rat und Tat stets wohl gepflegt.

(The Magistrat, with serious face,
serves the city and the place.
Plans the roads, builds the schools,
sits together on the stools.
Making decisions is their duty,
for order, welfare, and civic beauty.
A body that moves the town along,
with council and action, wise and strong.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Rat, doch ohne Krone,
in mancher Stadt ich oben throne.
Ich leite, plane und verwalte,
damit die Ordnung sich entfalte.
Mein Name klingt fast wie ein Grad,
doch bin für die Kommune da.

Wer bin ich?

(I am a council, but without a crown,
In some cities, I hold renown.
I lead, I plan, and administrate,
So that good order can inflate.
My name sounds almost like a degree,
But I am here for the community.

Who am I?)
(The answer is in the tooltip)

🌐 Other Information

Word Origin: The word 'Magistrat' comes from the Latin magistratus, meaning 'office', 'official', or 'authority'. This reflects its function as an official body.

International Usage: Similar terms or bodies exist in other countries, often with historical ties to Roman administration or later developments (e.g., in Austria, Italy - magistrato often refers to judges).