der  Minister

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈmɪnɪstɐ/

👨‍💼 What Exactly is a Minister?

Der Minister is a high-ranking member of the government, typically the head of a ministry (Ministerium - a specific department or area of administration). He or she is responsible for the political leadership and implementation of laws and programs in that area.

Examples of ministries include the Außenministerium (Foreign Ministry), Finanzministerium (Finance Ministry), or Gesundheitsministerium (Health Ministry).

Historically: In the past, "Minister" could also refer to a Protestant clergyman (Pfarrer), but this meaning is rare today.

⚠️ Attention: The feminine form is die Ministerin.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 The Grammar of "der Minister"

The word "Minister" is a masculine noun and follows the mixed declension (gemischte Deklination). This means it is declined strongly in the singular (genitive ending in -s), but weakly in the plural (all forms end in -n).

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Minister stellte den neuen Gesetzesentwurf vor.
   (The minister presented the new draft law.)
2. Die Rede des Ministers wurde aufmerksam verfolgt.
   (The minister's speech was followed attentively.)
3. Man überreichte dem Minister eine Petition.
   (A petition was handed over to the minister.)
4. Die Journalisten befragten den Minister zur aktuellen Lage.
   (The journalists questioned the minister about the current situation.)
5. Die Minister trafen sich zu einer Kabinettssitzung.
   (The ministers met for a cabinet meeting.)
6. Die Entscheidungen der Minister haben weitreichende Folgen.
   (The ministers' decisions have far-reaching consequences.)
7. Der Präsident sprach mit den Ministern über die Strategie.
   (The president spoke with the ministers about the strategy.)
8. Man kritisierte die Minister für ihre zögerliche Haltung.
   (The ministers were criticized for their hesitant stance.)

💼 Using "Minister" in Context

The term "Minister" is used almost exclusively in a political context.

• Government Level: It refers to members of the federal or state governments (e.g., Bundesminister - federal minister, Landesminister - state minister).
• Department Head: Each minister is responsible for a specific department (Ressort or Ministerium), e.g., the Finanzminister (Finance Minister), the Umweltministerin (Environment Minister, female), the Verteidigungsminister (Defense Minister).
• Formal Address: In official contexts, the full title is often used, e.g., "Herr Bundesminister" (Mr. Federal Minister) or "Frau Ministerin" (Ms./Mrs. Minister).
• Distinction: A Staatssekretär (State Secretary) is often the highest civil servant in a ministry and subordinate to the minister, while a Ministerpräsident (Minister President) is the head of government of a German federal state.

The word "Minister" implies high responsibility and decision-making power within the assigned area.

💡 Mnemonics for "der Minister"

Article Mnemonic: Think: Der Minister is the master of his ministry. ('Der' is the masculine article).

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a Minister administering a large department.

🔄 Word Relationships: Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Ministerium: The ministry or department headed by a minister.
• Ministerpräsident/in: The head of government of a German federal state (like a governor or premier).

😄 Ministerial Mirth

Fragt ein Bürger den Minister: "Ist es schwer, Minister zu sein?"

Antwortet der Minister: "Ach was, das ist wie Fahrradfahren. Nur dass das Fahrrad brennt, Sie brennen, alles brennt und Sie sind in der Hölle."

Translation:

A citizen asks the minister: "Is it hard being a minister?"

The minister replies: "Oh no, it's like riding a bicycle. Except the bicycle is on fire, you're on fire, everything is on fire, and you're in hell."

📜 Verses for the Minister

Der Minister, wohlbekannt,
\Lenkt die Geschicke hier im Land.
\Mit Aktenmappe, festem Schritt,
\Nimmt er das Ressort mit.
\Entscheidungen, mal schwer, mal leicht,
\Hat sein Amt ihm zugereicht.
\Ob Finanzen, Umwelt, Wehr,
\Er trägt Verantwortung, sehr.

Translation:

The minister, well-known near and far,
\Guides the fortunes, sets the bar.
\With briefcase firm and steady pace,
\He takes his ministry's place.
\Decisions made, both hard and light,
\His office grants him power and might.
\Be it finance, environment, defense's call,
\He bears responsibility for all.

❓ Who am I? A Minister Riddle

Ich leite einen großen Bereich,
\Bin Teil der Regierung, sogleich.
\Mein Titel ist maskulin, doch Frauen gibt's auch,
\Ich arbeite im politischen Brauch.
\Ich habe ein Ressort, das ist klar,
\Treffe Entscheidungen Jahr für Jahr.

Wer bin ich? ... Der Minister (oder die Ministerin)

Translation:

I head a large domain,
\Part of the government, I maintain.
\My title's masculine, but women serve too,
\I work within the political view.
\I have a department, that is clear,
\Making decisions year after year.

Who am I? ... The Minister (male or female)

ℹ️ Minister Trivia

• Etymology: The word comes from the Latin "minister", which originally meant "servant" or "attendant". Ironically, ministers today are powerful political figures.
• Feminine Form: The correct feminine form is "die Ministerin". The plural form "die Minister" often includes both men and women when a specific distinction isn't necessary (generic masculine), although "Ministerinnen und Minister" (female and male ministers) is more precise.
• Compounds: There are many compound words, such as Außenminister (Foreign Minister), Finanzminister (Finance Minister), Verteidigungsminister (Defense Minister), Ministeramt (ministerial office), Ministerrat (council of ministers), Ministerium (ministry), Ministerpräsident (Minister President).