der  Staatssekretär

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃtaːtszɛkʁeˈtɛːɐ̯/

🏛️ What does 'der Staatssekretär' mean?

Der Staatssekretär is a high-ranking civil servant or politician in Germany and other countries. The role can vary:

• Beamteter Staatssekretär (Permanent State Secretary): The highest-ranking civil servant within a ministry, supporting the minister in administrative leadership. They are political civil servants but typically non-partisan in their duties.
• Parlamentarischer Staatssekretär (Parliamentary State Secretary): A member of parliament (Bundestag) who provides political support to the minister, especially in representing the ministry in parliament and to the public. They often hold a rank equivalent to a junior minister but are subordinate to the actual minister.

Essentially, it's a key figure in the executive branch, mediating between the political leadership (Minister) and the administration or parliament.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Staatssekretär

The word „Staatssekretär“ is a masculine noun. It follows a mixed declension pattern (similar to n-declension, but with an -s in the genitive singular).

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Staatssekretär eröffnete die Konferenz.
   (The State Secretary opened the conference.)
2. Die Aufgaben des Staatssekretärs sind vielfältig.
   (The duties of the State Secretary are diverse.)
3. Der Minister dankte dem Staatssekretär für seine Unterstützung.
   (The Minister thanked the State Secretary for his support.)
4. Wir erwarten den Staatssekretär um 10 Uhr.
   (We expect the State Secretary at 10 o'clock.)
5. Die Staatssekretäre der verschiedenen Ministerien trafen sich heute.
   (The State Secretaries from the various ministries met today.)
6. Die Koordination zwischen den Staatssekretären ist wichtig.
   (Coordination among the State Secretaries is important.)

💼 Context and Usage

The term „Staatssekretär“ is primarily used in political and administrative contexts. It denotes a specific high-level position within a ministry or a supreme federal or state authority.

• Hierarchy: The Staatssekretär ranks directly below the Minister.
• Distinction: It's important to differentiate between the beamteter Staatssekretär (permanent) and the parlamentarischer Staatssekretär (parliamentary) as their roles and status differ.
• International: The exact equivalent of the title and function can vary internationally (e.g., Undersecretary of State, Permanent Secretary, Secrétaire d'État).
• Formal Address: In official contexts, the person is addressed by their title („Sehr geehrter Herr Staatssekretär Müller“, „Frau Staatssekretärin Schmidt“). The female form is „die Staatssekretärin“.

⚠️ Potential for confusion: A „Sekretär“ or „Sekretärin“ in common parlance refers to an office secretary and has nothing to do with the high political/administrative function of a Staatssekretär.

💡 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic (der): Think of der Mann (the man) who runs the Staat (state). Both 'Staat' and high officials are often associated with the masculine article 'der' in German grammar patterns.

Meaning Mnemonic: A Staats-Sekretär isn't just any secretary, but one for the entire Staat (State) – a very important person, like the minister's right hand.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Terms

• Generalsekretär: Often the head of a political party's administration or an international organization (e.g., UN Secretary-General).
• Ministerialdirektor/Ministerialdirigent: High civil servant positions below the Staatssekretär.
• Sekretär/in: Office secretary, assistant.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Bürger den Pförtner im Ministerium: „Ist der Staatssekretär schon da?“
Antwortet der Pförtner: „Nein, aber er ist schon auf dem Weg ins Büro – seine Aktentasche habe ich schon vor einer Stunde gesehen!“

Translation: A citizen asks the doorman at the ministry: "Is the State Secretary here yet?"
The doorman replies: "No, but he's already on his way to the office – I saw his briefcase an hour ago!"

📜 Poem about the Staatssekretär

Im Ministerium, hoch im Amt,
Der Staatssekretär, wohlbekannt.
Zwischen Politik und Aktenstaub,
Trifft er Entscheidungen, glaub's!
Er lenkt die Ströme der Bürokratie,
Mit Umsicht, Fleiß und Energie.
Des Ministers rechte Hand,
Im Dienste für das ganze Land.

Translation:
In the ministry, high in office,
The State Secretary, well-known.
Between politics and dusty files,
He makes decisions, believe it!

He directs the flows of bureaucracy,
With prudence, diligence, and energy.
The minister's right hand,
In service for the entire land.

❓ Riddle

Ich diene dem Staat, direkt unterm Chef,
Bin Politiker oft, doch manchmal auch streng.
Ich leite Beamte oder sprech' im Parlament,
Mein Titel ist wichtig, im ganzen Firmament
Der deutschen Verwaltung. Wer bin ich genannt?

Translation:
I serve the state, right under the boss,
I'm often a politician, but sometimes strict.
I lead civil servants or speak in parliament,
My title is important, in the whole firmament
Of German administration. What am I called?

Solution: Der Staatssekretär (The State Secretary)

🌐 Other Information

Word Composition

The word „Staatssekretär“ is a compound noun, composed of:

• Staat: Refers to the state, the political entity, the governmental level.
• Sekretär: Historically from Latin „secretarius“ (confidential clerk), used here in the sense of a high position of trust and administration.

Trivia

• In Germany, Staatssekretäre exist at both the federal (Bund) and state (Land) levels.
• The appointment and dismissal of beamtete Staatssekretäre (permanent ones) are made by the Federal President upon the proposal of the respective minister and the Federal Government (or correspondingly at the state level).
• Parlamentarische Staatssekretäre are politicians, and their term is often linked to the legislative period or the minister's term of office.
• The female form is „die Staatssekretärin“.