der  Sicherheitsrat

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈzɪçəʁhaɪtsˌʁaːt/

🌍 What Exactly is 'der Sicherheitsrat'?

Der Sicherheitsrat is a council or committee whose main task is to maintain or restore peace and security. The most well-known is the United Nations Security Council (UN-Sicherheitsrat), one of the principal organs of the UN.

The word is composed of Sicherheit (security) and Rat (council, committee). Since der Rat is masculine in German, der Sicherheitsrat is also masculine.

It can also refer to similar bodies in other organizations or at a national level, although the UN context is the most common.

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Sicherheitsrat

The noun „Sicherheitsrat“ is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences:

1. Der Sicherheitsrat der Vereinten Nationen trat gestern zusammen.
   (The United Nations Security Council met yesterday.)
2. Die Entscheidung des Sicherheitsrates wurde weltweit diskutiert.
   (The decision of the Security Council was discussed worldwide.)
3. Man legte den Resolutionsentwurf dem Sicherheitsrat vor.
   (The draft resolution was presented to the Security Council.)
4. Die Generalversammlung wählte neue Mitglieder in den Sicherheitsrat.
   (The General Assembly elected new members to the Security Council.)
5. Mehrere Sicherheitsräte tagten gleichzeitig in verschiedenen Ländern.
   (Several security councils met simultaneously in different countries. - This usage is rare, usually refers to the UN.)

🗣️ When to Use 'Sicherheitsrat'

The term Sicherheitsrat is used almost exclusively in political and international contexts. It usually refers to the corresponding body of the United Nations.

• International Politics: Primarily found in news, discussions, and texts about the UN, international conflicts, peacekeeping, and resolutions.
• Formal Language: The word belongs more to formal language registers.
• Distinction: While „Rat“ can have many meanings (advice, council), „Sicherheitsrat“ is very specific to the topic of security and usually the UN body.

⚠️ Be careful not to mistakenly use the term for general safety committees unless they explicitly bear this name.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Remembering the Article: Think of der Rat (the council). A council often involves deliberation and authority, sometimes associated stereotypically with male roles (historically). So, it's der Sicherheitsrat.

Remembering the Meaning: Picture a high-stakes meeting room (Rat) where global leaders discuss world Sicherheit (security). That's the Sicherheitsrat – the Security Council.

🔁 Similar & Different: Synonyms and Related Terms

Synonyms (often specific to UN):

• UN-Sicherheitsrat: More precise term for the UN body.
• Weltsicherheitsrat: More colloquial term for the UN Security Council (World Security Council).
• Gremium für Sicherheit: General description (committee for security), less precise.

Antonyms:

There are no direct antonyms. One could mention contrasting concepts:

• Generalversammlung (der UN): The UN General Assembly, another main organ with a different function (more representative, less executive in security matters).
• Chaos / Anarchie: Conditions the Security Council aims to prevent.

Similar Terms (Beware of Confusion!):

• Bundesrat / Nationalrat: Parliamentary chambers at the national level (e.g., in Germany, Austria, Switzerland), unrelated to international security.
• Rat (general): Can also mean advice or any council/committee.

😂 A Little Chuckle

Warum hat der Sicherheitsrat immer kalte Füße?

Weil er ständig auf Resolutionen sitzt! 😉

--- Translation ---

Why does the Security Council always have cold feet?

Because it's always sitting on resolutions! (Pun: 'sitzen auf' can mean 'to sit on' but idiomatically also 'to delay' or 'to mull over')

📜 A Poem about the Council

Im großen Saal, bei hellem Licht,
tagt der Rat mit ernstem Gesicht.
Für Frieden soll er Sorge tragen,
in schweren, dunklen Weltenlagen.

Fünfzehn Sitze, Macht vereint,
obwohl man oft verschieden meint.
Der Sicherheitsrat, ein hohes Gremium,
für Stabilität, das Optimum.

--- Translation ---

In the grand hall, in bright light,
the council meets with a serious sight.
For peace, it should bear the care,
in difficult, dark world affairs.

Fifteen seats, power combined,
although often differently opined.
The Security Council, a high committee,
for stability, the ultimate decree.

❓ Who Am I? A Riddle

Ich habe viele Mitglieder, doch nur fünf haben ein Veto.
Ich treffe mich oft in New York, nicht in Ghetto oder Stetto.
Mein Ziel ist der Weltfrieden, eine ernste Mission.
Ich fasse Beschlüsse durch Resolution.

Wer bin ich?

Lösung: Der Sicherheitsrat (der Vereinten Nationen)

--- Translation ---

I have many members, but only five have a veto.
I often meet in New York, not in a ghetto or stetto (nonsensical rhyme).
My goal is world peace, a serious mission.
I make decisions through resolution.

Who am I?

Solution: The Security Council (of the United Nations)

🧩 More Tidbits

Word Composition:

The word is a compound noun, formed from:

• die Sicherheit: security, safety
• der Rat: Here in the sense of a council, a committee, an assembly of people for deliberation and decision-making.

Trivia:

• The most famous Sicherheitsrat, that of the United Nations, has 15 members. Five are permanent members with veto power (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, USA).
• The ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.