der  Reichstag

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʁaɪçsˌtaːk/

🏛️ What does "der Reichstag" mean?

The German word der Reichstag primarily has two meanings:

• Historical Institution: It referred to the parliamentary assembly in the Holy Roman Empire, the North German Confederation, the German Empire, and the Weimar Republic. So, it was the parliament itself.
• Building: Today, the term is almost exclusively used for the Reichstagsgebäude (Reichstag building) in Berlin, the seat of the German Bundestag (Federal Parliament).

Although there were other historical contexts, these two are by far the most important. Using it to refer to the current parliament (Bundestag) is not correct, even though the Bundestag meets in the Reichstag building.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Reichstag"

The noun "Reichstag" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Note: The plural "die Reichstage" is rarely used today. When referring to the building, people usually speak of the "Reichstagsgebäude" (singular). Historically, the plural referred to the parliamentary sessions or the assemblies themselves.

Example Sentences

1. Der Reichstag in Berlin ist ein beeindruckendes Gebäude. (The Reichstag in Berlin is an impressive building.) - Referring to the building.
2. Der Reichstag der Weimarer Republik hatte viele Herausforderungen. (The Reichstag of the Weimar Republic faced many challenges.) - Referring to the historical institution.
3. Wir besichtigen morgen den Reichstag. (We will visit the Reichstag tomorrow.) - Referring to the building.
4. Die Gesetze wurden im Reichstag debattiert. (The laws were debated in the Reichstag.) - Referring to the historical institution.

🗣️ How to use "der Reichstag"?

Modern Usage:

In contemporary language, "der Reichstag" almost always refers to the building in Berlin. You would say:

• "Wir besuchen den Reichstag." (We are visiting the Reichstag.)
• "Die Kuppel des Reichstags ist für Besucher geöffnet." (The dome of the Reichstag is open to visitors.)
• "Der Bundestag tagt im Reichstag." (The Bundestag meets in the Reichstag building.)

⚠️ Important Distinction: The Reichstag is the building; the Bundestag is the parliament that sits inside it.

Historical Usage:

In historical contexts, "der Reichstag" refers to the respective parliamentary institution:

• "Bismarck sprach im Reichstag des Kaiserreichs." (Bismarck spoke in the Reichstag of the Empire.)
• "Die Abgeordneten des Reichstags stimmten über das Gesetz ab." (The members of the Reichstag voted on the law.)

The context usually clarifies whether the building or the institution is meant. Without a historical reference, people today mean the building.

💡 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article 'der': Think of der Tag (the day), as in Reichstag. Many German words ending in '-tag' are masculine (der Montag, der Geburtstag). The big day (Tag) of the Reich needs a masculine article: der Reichstag!

For the meaning: Imagine the entire Reich (empire/realm) coming together for a Tag (assembly day) – either physically in a grand building or as the assembly itself.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms (depending on meaning):

• For the building: das Reichstagsgebäude (more specific), das Bundestagsgebäude (more precise for the seat of the Bundestag).
• For the historical institution: das Parlament (parliament), die Volksvertretung (people's representation), die gesetzgebende Versammlung (legislative assembly).

Antonyms:

There are no direct antonyms for "Reichstag". Conceptually, you could contrast:

• Opposite the parliament (institution): die Regierung (the government), die Exekutive (the executive branch).
• Opposite the building: perhaps another specific building (e.g., das Kanzleramt - the Chancellery).

Similar but different terms:

• Der Bundestag: The current German parliament (the institution) that meets in the Reichstag building.
• Der Bundesrat: The representation of the German federal states.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum haben Politiker im Reichstag immer kalte Füße?

Weil sie ständig auf dem politischen Parkett ausrutschen!

(Why do politicians in the Reichstag always have cold feet? Because they are constantly slipping on the political floor/stage!)

📜 A Poem about the Reichstag

Aus Stein gebaut, mit Kuppel klar,
Der Reichstag steht schon manches Jahr.
Geschichte atmet hier im Raum,
Ein deutscher, oft bewegter Traum.
Mal Parlament, mal Kunstobjekt,
Vom Bundestag nun neu entdeckt.

(Built of stone, with a dome so clear,
The Reichstag has stood for many a year.
History breathes within this space,
A German dream, often a turbulent race.
Sometimes parliament, sometimes art displayed,
By the Bundestag now newly surveyed.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich steh' in Berlin, trage Glas auf dem Haupt,
Hab Stürme erlebt, wurd' gehasst und geglaubt.
Drin sitzen die Abgeordneten heute,
mein Name klingt nach vergangener Zeitmeute.

Wer bin ich?

(I stand in Berlin, wear glass on my head,
Have weathered storms, was hated and led.
Inside sit the deputies today,
my name sounds like crowds from a bygone day.

Who am I?) (Answer: Der Reichstag)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Reichstag" is composed of:

• Reich: Historically refers to the (German) Empire or Realm.
• Tag: In the sense of "Tagsatzung" or "assembly day", an old term for a meeting or session (related to English 'day').

Interesting Facts:

• Reichstag Fire (Reichstagsbrand): In 1933, the Reichstag building burned, an event with far-reaching political consequences.
• Wrapped Reichstag (Verhüllter Reichstag): In 1995, the building was completely wrapped by the artist couple Christo and Jeanne-Claude, attracting worldwide attention.
• The Dome (Die Kuppel): The modern glass dome was designed by architect Norman Foster and is accessible to the public.