der
Vorsitz
👑 What does "der Vorsitz" mean?
Der Vorsitz (noun, masculine) describes the chairmanship, presidency, or the position of leading a meeting, a committee, an organization, a club, or a party. It refers to the function or office of the chairperson (der/die Vorsitzende), meaning the role of the person who leads a meeting or heads an organization.
It derives from "vor" (in front) and "sitzen" (to sit) – literally the person sitting at the front and leading.
🚨 Important: Der Vorsitz refers to the position or function, not directly to the person. The person is der/die Vorsitzende.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-tz → almost always masculine.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Vorsitz
"Vorsitz" is a masculine noun and always takes the article der. It is mainly used in the singular because it describes an abstract function. A plural form is uncommon and rarely used, only in specific contexts (e.g., referring to several chairperson positions in different committees, but this is usually phrased differently).
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der | Vorsitz |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Vorsitzes |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Vorsitz / Vorsitze* |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den | Vorsitz |
* The dative ending "-e" (Vorsitze) is dated but still possible.
Plural:
The plural "die Vorsitze" is very rare and generally avoided. Instead, one might speak of "die Vorsitzendenpositionen" (the chairperson positions) or "die Leitungsfunktionen" (the leadership functions).
💡 Example Sentences
- Wer hat heute den Vorsitz der Sitzung? (Who is chairing the meeting today?)
- Sie übernahm den Vorsitz des Vereins im letzten Jahr. (She took over the chairmanship of the club last year.)
- Unter seinem Vorsitz wurden wichtige Entscheidungen getroffen. (Under his chairmanship, important decisions were made.)
- Die Frage des Vorsitzes muss noch geklärt werden. (The question of the chairmanship still needs to be clarified.)
🗣️ How to use "der Vorsitz"?
"Der Vorsitz" is typically used in formal contexts related to leading committees, organizations, or events.
- In meetings/assemblies: "Den Vorsitz führen" (to chair), "den Vorsitz innehaben" (to hold the chair). Example: "Professor Müller führt heute den Vorsitz." (Professor Müller is chairing today.)
- In organizations/clubs/parties: "Den Vorsitz übernehmen" (to take over the chairmanship), "unter dem Vorsitz von..." (under the chairmanship of...). Example: "Der Verein wählte einen neuen Vorsitz." (The club elected a new chairmanship/chairperson - context dependent).
- As an abstract office title: It describes the function. Example: "Der Vorsitz des Komitees ist eine ehrenvolle Aufgabe." (The chairmanship of the committee is an honorable task.)
Important Distinction:
- Der Vorsitz: The function, the position, the leadership (abstract).
- Der/Die Vorsitzende: The person holding the chair (concrete).
Example: "Der Vorsitzende hat den Vorsitz." (The chairperson holds the chair/chairmanship.)
You can also say "jemand sitzt einer Sitzung vor", which means the same as "den Vorsitz führen".
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Vorsitz"
-
For the article (der):
Think: Der Mann (the man), der Chef (the boss), der Präsident (the president) – these leadership roles often associated with males take der. Imagine a strong leader, a 'he', taking der Vorsitz. Or remember that 'der Stuhl' (the chair one sits on) is masculine, and the one who sits vor (in front) has der Vorsitz.
-
For the meaning (chairmanship):
Think of the word parts: Someone sitzt (sits) vor (in front of) the others to lead the meeting. Vor-Sitz = the seat at the front, the leadership position.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Die Leitung: (Leadership/management) Very similar, more general term for guidance or control.
- Die Führung: (Leadership/guidance) Also general for leading a group or organization.
- Das Präsidium: (Presidency/presidium) Often used in larger organizations or parliaments; sometimes refers to the entire leadership board, not just the single chair.
- Die Direktion: (Directorship) More common in companies or institutions (e.g., museum).
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Die Teilnahme: (Participation) Being present but not leading.
- Die Mitgliedschaft: (Membership) Being part of the group, but not in a leadership role.
- Die Unterordnung: (Subordination) Being subject to someone else's authority.
⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion!):
- Der/Die Vorsitzende: The chairperson (the person). Not the function itself.
- Der Vorsatz: A resolution, intention, plan. (Sounds similar, but means something completely different!)
😄 A Little Joke
Der neue Praktikant fragt den Chef: "Entschuldigen Sie, wer hat hier eigentlich den Vorsitz?"
Antwortet der Chef trocken: "Im Moment mein Bürostuhl, ich stehe gerade."
Translation:
The new intern asks the boss: "Excuse me, who actually has the chair(manship) here?"
The boss replies drily: "At the moment, my office chair does, I'm currently standing."
📜 Poem about the Chairmanship
Wer die Sitzung leiten muss,
hat den Vorsitz, ohne Verduss.
Er sitzt vorn, gibt den Ton an,
damit die Ordnung halten kann.
Ob Verein, Komitee, ganz gleich,
der Vorsitz macht die Führung reich
an Verantwortung, klar und schlicht,
er hält das Ruder, verliert's nicht.
Translation:
Who must lead the meeting's course,
holds the chair, without remorse [or fuss].
Sits up front, sets the tone,
so that order can be known.
Be it club, committee, all the same,
the chairmanship makes leadership's fame
rich in duty, clear and plain,
holds the rudder, won't lose the rein.
❓ Riddle
Ich bin kein Stuhl, doch man sitzt auf mir – im übertragenen Sinn.
Ich bin kein Mensch, doch ohne mich führt keiner die Sitzung zum Gewinn.
Ich habe Macht, doch keine Hände.
Man kann mich haben, führen, innehaben, bis die Sitzung zu Ende.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I am not a chair, yet one sits on me – figuratively speaking.
I am not a person, yet without me, no one leads the meeting to success.
I have power, but no hands.
You can have me, lead me, hold me, until the meeting ends.
What am I?
Answer: der Vorsitz (the chairmanship)
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Vorsitz" is a compound noun, formed from:
- vor: preposition/adverb meaning 'in front of' or indicating priority in time.
- Sitz: noun meaning 'seat' or the act of 'sitting'.
So, the combination literally means the "seat in front", symbolizing the leading position.
Cultural Context: The term "Vorsitz" is strongly embedded in formal and democratic structures (clubs, parties, parliaments, committees, etc.). Taking over the "Vorsitz" is often linked to an election or appointment.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Vorsitz?
The German word Vorsitz is masculine, so it always uses the article der. The correct form is: der Vorsitz (Genitive: des Vorsitzes).