der  Referentenentwurf

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁefeˈʁɛntənˌʔɛntvʊʁf/

📜 What exactly is a Referentenentwurf?

A Referentenentwurf (article: der) is the first internal working draft for a new law or legal ordinance in Germany. It is typically prepared by the responsible specialist official (Referent or Referentin) within a federal or state ministry.

This draft serves as a basis for discussion within the government and is often sent to other ministries, associations, or experts for coordination even before it is formally introduced into the parliamentary process as a Gesetzentwurf (government bill).

So, it represents a very early stage in the legislative process. ⚠️ It should not be confused with the later Regierungsentwurf (cabinet draft) or the final Gesetz (law).

🧐 Grammatical Profile: Der Referentenentwurf

The word "Referentenentwurf" is a masculine noun. The article is der.

Example Sentences

1. Das Ministerium veröffentlichte gestern den neuen Referentenentwurf zur Digitalisierung.
   (The ministry published the new ministerial draft on digitalization yesterday.)
2. Die Verbände kritisieren einige Punkte des Referentenentwurfs scharf.
   (The associations sharply criticize some points of the ministerial draft.)
3. Nach der Ressortabstimmung wird aus dem Referentenentwurf oft ein Regierungsentwurf.
   (After inter-ministerial coordination, the ministerial draft often becomes a government bill.)
4. Im Referentenentwurf sind die grundlegenden Ideen des Gesetzes bereits skizziert.
   (The basic ideas of the law are already outlined in the ministerial draft.)

🏛️ Usage in Context

The term Referentenentwurf is used almost exclusively in the context of German legislation and administration. You encounter it in:

• Political news and reports
• Discussions about new legislative projects
• Statements from interest groups
• Publications by ministries

It is important to distinguish it from the Gesetzentwurf (the bill already approved by the cabinet and going to parliament) and the final Gesetz (law). The Referentenentwurf is the first, often highly modifiable step.

It marks the beginning of the official consultation process, where feedback is gathered from other departments and external stakeholders.

🧠 Mnemonics for Memorization

Article Aid: Think of der Referent (the male official) who writes the draft. Even though there are female Referentinnen, the masculine form helps remember the article der Referentenentwurf.

Meaning Aid: A Referent makes an Entwurf (draft). Simple as that: The draft (Entwurf) of the official (Referent) = Referentenentwurf. It's the first, raw draft, not the finished law.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Potential Confusion

🚨 Gesetzentwurf: This is a more advanced draft, usually the Regierungsentwurf, which is formally introduced into the Bundestag (Federal Parliament) or Bundesrat (Federal Council).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum ist ein Referentenentwurf wie ein erster Pfannkuchen?
Er ist selten perfekt, dient aber dazu, die Pfanne (bzw. die Diskussion) aufzuheizen! 😂

(Why is a ministerial draft like the first pancake?
It's rarely perfect, but it serves to heat up the pan (or the discussion)!)

✍️ Poem about the Draft

Im Ministerium, still und klein,
schreibt der Referent, so soll es sein.
Ein erster Wurf, noch ungeschliffen,
der Referentenentwurf, von Ideen ergriffen.

Er geht auf Reisen, wird debattiert,
kritisiert, gelobt, oft modifiziert.
Bis aus dem Entwurf, nach mancher Stund',
vielleicht ein Gesetz wird, zur rechten Kund'.

(In the ministry, quiet and small,
the official writes, standing tall.
A first attempt, still rough and keen,
the Referentenentwurf, a legislative scene.

It travels round, discussed with zeal,
praised or critiqued, how does it feel?
Modified often, hour by hour,
till from the draft, a law might flower.)

❓ Who or What am I?

Ich bin der erste Schritt zu neuem Recht,
geschrieben in einem Ministerium, ganz schlicht.
Verbände und Kollegen schauen auf mich drauf,
bevor ich starte meinen offiziellen Lauf.
Ich bin noch nicht fertig, nur ein erster Plan,
oft heiß diskutiert, von Anfang an.

Wer bin ich?
(Die Antwort: Der Referentenentwurf)

(I am the first step towards new law,
written in a ministry, without a flaw (yet!).
Associations and colleagues look at me,
before I start my official journey, you see.
I'm not finished yet, just an initial plan,
often hotly debated, since I began.

Who am I?
(The answer: The Referentenentwurf / ministerial draft))

🧩 Further Details: Word Composition

The word "Referentenentwurf" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Referent: An officer or expert in an authority or organization, often responsible for a specific subject area.
• -en-: A linking element often found in German compound words.
• Entwurf: A draft, sketch, or preliminary text.

Together, the meaning is: A draft created by a Referent (official).

Trivia: Referentenentwürfe are often the first opportunity for the public and interest groups to learn about planned legislative changes and to exert influence on them.