der  Nationalrat

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/nat͡si̯oˈnaːlˌʁaːt/

🏛️ What exactly is 'der Nationalrat'?

The German noun der Nationalrat is masculine and refers to the directly elected chamber of parliament in Austria and Switzerland. In its function, it often corresponds to the lower house or first chamber in other parliamentary systems.

• In Austria, the Nationalrat together with the Bundesrat forms the Austrian Parliament (the Bundesversammlung).
• In Switzerland, the Nationalrat (the large chamber) together with the Ständerat (the small chamber) forms the Swiss Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung).

The word is always used with the article 'der'.

📜 Grammar at a Glance: Der Nationalrat

The noun 'Nationalrat' is masculine. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Der Nationalrat tagt heute in Wien. (The National Council is meeting in Vienna today.)
2. Die Entscheidungen des Nationalrates sind bindend. (The decisions of the National Council are binding.)
3. Dem Nationalrat wurden neue Gesetzesentwürfe vorgelegt. (New draft laws were presented to the National Council.)
4. Man wählt die Abgeordneten für den Nationalrat alle fünf Jahre (in Österreich). (Members of the National Council are elected every five years (in Austria).)
5. Die Nationalräte diskutierten das Budget. (The members of the National Council discussed the budget.)

🗣️ Usage in Context

The term 'Nationalrat' is used specifically in the political context of Austria and Switzerland. It always refers to the respective parliamentary chamber.

• Context: Politics, legislation, news, constitutional law.
• Important: Do not use it for the German parliament (which is called Bundestag). The term is country-specific.
• Distinction: In Austria, besides the Nationalrat, there is the Bundesrat (Federal Council, representing the states). In Switzerland, there is the Ständerat (Council of States, representing the cantons).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article 'der': Think of 'der Rat' (the council). A council ('Rat') is often grammatically masculine in German. The 'national' council is therefore 'der' Nationalrat.

Meaning: Imagine a 'nation' coming together for an important 'Rat' (council) meeting to decide on laws. That's the 'Nationalrat' – the nation's council.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Caution: 'Bundestag' (Germany) is not a synonym, but the equivalent in a different country.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Politiker im Nationalrat immer einen Bleistift mit?
Damit sie wichtige Punkte unterstreichen können! 😉

(Why do politicians in the National Council always bring a pencil?
So they can underline important points!)

✒️ A Poem about the Nationalrat

Im hohen Haus, bei Tag und Nacht,
wird Politik fürs Land gemacht.
Der Nationalrat, wohlbekannt,
hält die Gesetze in der Hand.
Gewählt vom Volk, mit Stimm und Kraft,
damit das Land in Frieden schafft.

(In the high house, by day and night,
politics for the country are made right.
The National Council, well known,
holds the laws upon its throne.
Elected by the people, with voice and might,
so the country creates peace and light.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Rat, doch geb' ich keinen Tipp,
bin national, doch reise nicht per Schiff.
In Wien und Bern hab ich mein Haus,
wer bin ich? Finde es heraus!

(I am a council, but give no advice,
I'm national, but don't travel by ship's device.
In Vienna and Bern, I have my seat,
Who am I? Can you complete?)

Solution: Der Nationalrat (The National Council)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition

The word 'Nationalrat' is a compound noun, composed of:

• National: Referring to the nation, the entire country.
• Rat: Referring to a council, an assembly that advises and decides. (From the verb 'raten' - to advise, or 'beraten' - to consult).

Trivia

• The number of members in the Nationalrat differs between Austria (183) and Switzerland (200).
• The legislative periods also differ (Austria: 5 years, Switzerland: 4 years).