der  Sitz

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/tsɪts/

🛋️ What exactly does "der Sitz" mean?

The word der Sitz (masculine) has several meanings, often relating to a place where one sits or where something has its fixed location.

• Seat (furniture): The most common meaning is a piece of furniture or device for sitting. Example: der Stuhl (chair), der Sessel (armchair), der Autositz (car seat).
• Posture/Position: The way someone sits. Example: ein fester Sitz im Sattel (a firm seat in the saddle).
• Location/Headquarters: The place where an organization, company, or institution has its main office or a branch. Example: der Firmensitz (company headquarters), der Regierungssitz (seat of government).
• Residence: A person's fixed place of residence (rather formal). Example: seinen Sitz in Berlin haben (to have one's residence in Berlin).
• Fit (clothing): How well a piece of clothing fits the body, especially around the buttocks and hips. Example: Die Hose hat einen guten Sitz. (The trousers fit well.)
• Parliamentary seat: A place or mandate in a parliament or similar assembly. Example: einen Sitz im Bundestag haben (to have a seat in the German parliament).

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning!

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Sitz" in Detail

Der Sitz is a masculine noun. Its declension is as follows:

Declension (Singular)

Declension (Plural)

Example Sentences ✍️

1. Der Sitz neben mir im Bus war frei.
   (The seat next to me on the bus was free.)
2. Der Reiter hatte einen festen Sitz im Sattel.
   (The rider had a firm seat in the saddle.)
3. Der Sitz des Unternehmens ist in München.
   (The company's headquarters/seat is in Munich.)
4. Die Partei gewann drei neue Sitze im Parlament.
   (The party won three new seats in parliament.)
5. Diese Jeans hat einen perfekten Sitz.
   (These jeans have a perfect fit.)

💡 How to use "der Sitz"?

• Physical vs. Abstract Location: "Der Sitz" can refer to both a concrete place to sit (Nimm bitte auf dem freien Sitz Platz! - Please take a seat on the free seat!) and an abstract location (Der Sitz der Stiftung ist in der Schweiz. - The foundation's seat is in Switzerland.).
• Fixed Expressions: There are several fixed expressions with "Sitz", e.g., "seinen Sitz haben" (to be located/headquartered - for companies, organisations), "einen Sitz im Parlament haben" (to have a seat in parliament), "fest im Sattel sitzen" (to be firmly in the saddle - also metaphorically for being in a secure position).
• Difference from "Platz": While "Platz" often refers more generally to space or a free spot (Ist hier noch Platz? - Is there still space here?), "Sitz" is more specific, referring to a device or place for sitting or a defined location. A "Sitzplatz" combines both, meaning an assigned place to sit.
• Official/Formal Language: In meanings like Wohnsitz (residence) or Firmensitz (company headquarters), "Sitz" is often used in more formal or official contexts.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Sitz"

Article Mnemonic (der): Think of 'der' leader, 'der' king, or 'der' president. They all have an important Sitz (office chair, throne, official seat). The masculine authority ('der') needs a 'Sitz'. Or, think: a proper gentleman ('der Mann') offers his 'Sitz'.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you sit (English verb) on your Sitz (German noun). The action (sit) and the place (Sitz) are closely related. And where is a company's most important place? At its main Sitz (headquarters)!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words

• Der Satz: Has a completely different meaning (sentence, leap, sediment/dregs). Sounds a bit similar though.
• Besitz (der): Possession, property, what someone owns. Don't confuse!

😂 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Fritzchen, warum stehst du die ganze Zeit?"
Fritzchen: "Ich habe gehört, wer für seine Überzeugung eintritt, muss auch mal sitzen können – aber mein Sitz ist leider kaputt!"

Translation:
Teacher: "Fritzchen, why are you standing all the time?"
Fritzchen: "I heard that those who stand up for their convictions must also be able to sit down – but unfortunately, my seat (Sitz) is broken!"

📜 A Poem about the Sitz

Ein Sitz, er ist ein stiller Ort,
\Mal Stuhl, mal Bank, mal wichtig' Wort.
\Ein Sitz im Rat, mit ernster Miene,
\Ein Sitz der Firma, der Maschine.
\Ein weicher Sitz lädt ein zur Ruh',
\Ein fester Sitz gehört dazu.
\Ob hier, ob dort, ob nah, ob fern,
\Den rechten Sitz hat jeder gern.

Translation:
A seat, it is a quiet place,
Sometimes chair, sometimes bench, sometimes important word (location).
A seat in council, with a serious face,
A company's seat, the machine's base.
A soft seat invites to rest, you see,
A firm seat is part of it, naturally.
Whether here or there, whether near or far,
Everyone likes the right seat, wherever they are.

🕵️‍♀️ Little Riddle

Ich kann ein Möbel sein, bequem und weich,
\Doch auch der Ort, wo Macht wird reich.
\Ein Unternehmen hat mich als Zentrale,
\Im Parlament zähl' ich die Mandat'szahle.
\Die Hose passt? Dann hab ich Stil.
\Was bin ich wohl, wer's raten will?

Translation:
I can be furniture, comfy and soft,
But also the place where power is aloft.
A company has me as its main base,
In parliament, I count the mandate's space.
The trousers fit? Then I have style.
What am I, who can guess after a while?

Solution: der Sitz

🧩 Additional Info

• Word Origin: The word "Sitz" derives directly from the verb "sitzen" (to sit) and belongs to an old Indo-European root meaning "to settle down".
• Word Formations (Compounds): "Sitz" is part of many compound words (Komposita), e.g.:
  • Autositz (car seat), Kindersitz (child seat), Fahrradsitz (bicycle seat) (types of seats)
  • Firmensitz (company headquarters), Amtssitz (official seat), Wohnsitz (residence), Hauptsitz (main headquarters), Regierungssitz (seat of government) (locations)
  • Sitzplatz (seat/place to sit), Sitzung (meeting/session), Sitzstreik (sit-in strike), Sitzordnung (seating arrangement) (related to sitting or places)
  • Sitzfleisch (colloquial for stamina/patience while sitting)