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Verteidigungsminister
🏛️ What is 'der Verteidigungsminister'?
Der Verteidigungsminister is the German term for the Minister of Defence (UK) or Secretary of Defense (US). This person is the head of the Ministry of Defence (Verteidigungsministerium) and a member of the government (usually the federal cabinet, Bundeskabinett, in Germany).
The Verteidigungsminister is politically responsible for the armed forces (e.g., the Bundeswehr in Germany) and the country's defence policy.
It refers to a male person holding this office. The female form is die Verteidigungsministerin.
Example: Der neue Verteidigungsminister stellte seine Pläne vor. (The new Minister of Defence presented his plans.)
Article rules for der, die, and das
Male characters → always masculine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
🧐 Grammar: 'Der Verteidigungsminister' in Detail
The word "Verteidigungsminister" is a masculine noun. Its declension is as follows:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Verteidigungsminister |
| Genitive | des | Verteidigungsministers |
| Dative | dem | Verteidigungsminister |
| Accusative | den | Verteidigungsminister |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Verteidigungsminister |
| Genitive | der | Verteidigungsminister |
| Dative | den | Verteidigungsministern |
| Accusative | die | Verteidigungsminister |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Verteidigungsminister besucht die Truppen im Ausland.
(The Minister of Defence visits the troops abroad.) - Die Entscheidung des Verteidigungsministers wurde kritisiert.
(The decision of the Minister of Defence was criticized.) - Man überreichte dem Verteidigungsminister eine Urkunde.
(They presented a certificate to the Minister of Defence.) - Die Journalisten befragten den Verteidigungsminister.
(The journalists questioned the Minister of Defence.) - Die Verteidigungsminister der NATO-Staaten trafen sich in Brüssel.
(The Defence Ministers of the NATO countries met in Brussels.)
🎯 Usage in Context
The term Verteidigungsminister is primarily used in political and military contexts.
- Political Reporting: In news, articles, and discussions about government actions, cabinet reshuffles, or defence policy (Verteidigungspolitik).
- Military Affairs: When discussing the leadership of the armed forces, armament projects, or international military cooperation.
- Official Documents: In laws, regulations, or protocols concerning the Ministry of Defence (Verteidigungsministerium).
It is a formal job title. In informal speech, people might just say "der Minister" if the context is clear.
Risk of Confusion? Rare, as the area of responsibility is clearly defined. Sometimes confused with the Generalinspekteur der Bundeswehr (Inspector General of the Bundeswehr), who is the highest-ranking soldier but not the political head.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of a male minister. MinisteR sounds like a role typically held by a man (historically). Many masculine nouns in German take the article DER. Imagine: DER leadeR, DER manageR, DER MinisteR.
Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: "Verteidigung" (defence) + "Minister". Picture a minister holding a shield (Symbol der Verteidigung) – they are the minister responsible for defence.
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Same Meaning)
Opposing Concepts (No Direct Antonyms)
A direct antonym doesn't really exist. Opposing roles might be:
- Angriffsminister (Minister of Attack - hypothetical, non-existent)
- Friedensminister (Minister of Peace - conceptually opposite, rarely an official title)
- Other ministers with different portfolios (e.g., Finanzminister - Finance Minister, Außenminister - Foreign Minister)
Related Terms
- Verteidigungsministerium: The ministry headed by the minister.
- Bundeswehr: The German Armed Forces, for which the minister is politically responsible.
- Verteidigungspolitik: Defence policy, the minister's area of responsibility.
- Verteidigungsministerin: The female form of the office title.
😂 A Little Joke
Ein Bürger fragt den Verteidigungsminister: "Ist Ihr Job nicht manchmal sehr stressig?"
Antwortet der Minister: "Ach was, ich sehe das ganz entspannt. Die meisten Probleme lösen sich von selbst – spätestens, wenn der Feind vor der Tür steht!" 😉
--- English Translation ---
A citizen asks the Minister of Defence: "Isn't your job very stressful sometimes?"
The Minister replies: "Oh well, I take it easy. Most problems solve themselves – at the latest when the enemy is at the gates!" 😉
📜 Poem about the Verteidigungsminister
Der Wächter des Landes
Im Kabinett, ein ernster Mann,
zieht für die Wehr den Masterplan.
Der Verteidigungsminister wacht,
bei Tag und auch bei tiefer Nacht.
Für Heer, Marine, Luftwaffe,
schafft er die nöt'ge, starke Kraft.
Er plant, beschafft, entsendet klug,
genug ist selten ihm genug.
Politisch trägt er schwer Gewicht,
das ist des Ministers Pflicht.
Für Sicherheit im deutschen Land,
hält er die Zügel fest zur Hand.
--- English Translation ---
The Guardian of the Land
In the cabinet, a serious man,
draws for the forces the master plan.
The Minister of Defence watches,
by day and also in deep night.
For army, navy, air force too,
he creates the necessary, strong virtue.
He plans, procures, deploys with sense,
enough is seldom his recompense.
Politically, he carries heavy weight,
that is the minister's mandated fate.
For security in the German land,
he holds the reins firmly in hand.
❓ Who am I? A Riddle
Ich leite ein großes Haus,
und schicke Soldaten aus.
Für Panzer, Schiffe, Fluggerät,
bin ich zuständig, früh und spät.
Im Kabinett hab ich Gewicht,
wer kennt mein Amt, mein Angesicht?
(Lösung/Solution: Der Verteidigungsminister)
--- English Translation ---
I lead a large house (department),
and send soldiers out.
For tanks, ships, aircraft,
I am responsible, early and late.
In the cabinet, I carry weight,
who knows my office, my face?
(Answer: The Minister of Defence / der Verteidigungsminister)
💡 Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition
The word "Verteidigungsminister" is a compound noun (Kompositum), made up of:
- Die Verteidigung: defence, protection, warding off attacks.
- Der Minister: minister, head of a ministry, member of a government.
Female Form
The correct term for a woman holding this office is die Verteidigungsministerin.
Context Germany
In Germany, the Verteidigungsminister (officially: Bundesminister der Verteidigung - Federal Minister of Defence) holds the power of command (Inhaber der Befehls- und Kommandogewalt - IBuK) over the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) during peacetime.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Verteidigungsminister?
The noun Verteidigungsminister is masculine. The correct article is der. It refers to the (male) Minister of Defence.