der /
die
Vorsitzende
🧑⚖️ What does Vorsitzende(r) mean?
The word Vorsitzende(r) refers to a person who chairs an organization, committee, assembly, or meeting. It's a nominalized present participle of the verb vorsitzen (to preside, to chair).
Depending on the gender of the person, the corresponding article is used:
- der Vorsitzende: Refers to a male person who chairs (e.g., Der Vorsitzende eröffnete die Sitzung. - The chairman opened the meeting.).
- die Vorsitzende: Refers to a female person who chairs (e.g., Die Vorsitzende begrüßte die Teilnehmer. - The chairwoman welcomed the participants.).
It's important to note that this is a nominalization of an adjective (specifically, a present participle), which affects its declension (grammatical case endings).
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der/Die Vorsitzende
Vorsitzende(r) is a nominalized present participle and is declined like an adjective. Following the definite article (der/die), the weak adjective declension is used.
Declension: der Vorsitzende (masculine)
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Vorsitzende | die Vorsitzenden |
| Genitive | des Vorsitzenden | der Vorsitzenden |
| Dative | dem Vorsitzenden | den Vorsitzenden |
| Accusative | den Vorsitzenden | die Vorsitzenden |
Declension: die Vorsitzende (feminine)
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Vorsitzende | die Vorsitzenden |
| Genitive | der Vorsitzenden | der Vorsitzenden |
| Dative | der Vorsitzenden | den Vorsitzenden |
| Accusative | die Vorsitzende | die Vorsitzenden |
Note: After the indefinite article (ein/eine) or without an article, the mixed or strong adjective declension is used (e.g., ein Vorsitzender - a chairman, eine Vorsitzende - a chairwoman, Vorsitzender gesucht - chairman wanted).
Example Sentences 📝
- Der Vorsitzende des Vereins legte sein Amt nieder. (The chairman of the association resigned from his position.)
- Wir warten auf die Entscheidung der Vorsitzenden. (We are waiting for the decision of the chairwoman.)
- Man überreichte dem Vorsitzenden einen Blumenstrauß. (They presented the chairman with a bouquet of flowers.)
- Siehst du die Vorsitzende dort drüben? (Do you see the chairwoman over there?)
- Die Vorsitzenden der verschiedenen Ausschüsse trafen sich. (The chairpersons of the various committees met.)
🗣️ How to use Vorsitzende(r)?
The term Vorsitzende(r) is used formally and informally to denote the leading person of a group or organization.
- Contexts: Clubs (Vereine), political parties (Parteien), companies (supervisory board - Aufsichtsrat, executive board - Vorstand), parliaments, committees (Ausschüsse), courts (Gerichte), foundations (Stiftungen), conferences.
- Role: The person leads meetings, represents the organization externally, often has a casting vote or special responsibility.
- Alternative terms: Depending on the context, Präsident(in) (president), Leiter(in) (leader, head), Obmann/Obfrau (chairman/chairwoman, often in associations or parliamentary groups) can also be used. However, Vorsitzende(r) is a very common and neutral term.
- Important: Always pay attention to the correct gender (Genus) and use the corresponding form (der or die) and the correct declension.
🧠 Mnemonics for Vorsitzende(r)
For the article: Think about who sits (sitzt) at the front (vor): If it's a man, he's 'the' boss -> der Vorsitzende. If it's a woman, she's 'the' boss -> die Vorsitzende. The article follows the natural gender.
For the meaning: Imagine a person who sits (sitzt) at the very front (vor) of the table, leading the meeting – that's der/die Vorsitzende (the chairperson).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Präsident(in): Often higher-ranking, e.g., for states or large organizations (president).
- Leiter(in): General term for a leader or head.
- Obmann/Obfrau: Common in associations, guilds, or parliamentary groups (chairman/chairwoman).
- Direktor(in): Often in companies or institutions (director).
- Sprecher(in): More for a representative function, e.g., board spokesman (spokesperson).
Antonyms (opposites):
- Mitglied: A person who is part of the group but doesn't lead (member).
- Teilnehmer(in): Someone attending a meeting without leading it (participant).
- Stellvertreter(in): Represents the chairperson but isn't the main leader (deputy, vice-chair).
- Beisitzer(in): Member of a board or committee without a chair function (assessor, associate member).
⚠️ Caution: Words like Vorgesetzter/Vorgesetzte refer to a hierarchical superior (boss), not specifically to leading a meeting or committee.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der neue Mitarbeiter den Vorsitzenden: "Entschuldigen Sie, wie viele Leute arbeiten hier eigentlich?"
Der Vorsitzende seufzt: "Ich schätze, so etwa die Hälfte."
Translation: The new employee asks the chairman: "Excuse me, how many people actually work here?"
The chairman sighs: "I estimate about half of them."
✍️ Poem about the Chairperson
Die Vorsitzende, klug und klar,
Leitet die Runde, Jahr für Jahr.
Mit Wort und Tat, stets engagiert,
Wird diskutiert und ausprobiert.
Ob Mann, ob Frau, das ist egal,
Der Vorsitz führt, trifft erste Wahl.
Translation:
The chairperson, wise and clear,
Leads the round, year after year.
With word and deed, always engaged,
Discussed it is, and staged.
Whether man or woman, it matters not,
The chair leads, calls the first shot.
🧩 Riddle
Ich sitze vorn, doch hab' keinen Thron.
Ich leite die Sitzung, kenn' Ton und Person.
Mal bin ich 'der', mal bin ich 'die', je nach Gestalt.
Wer bin ich, der Ordnung gibt und den Laden zusammenhält?
... Der/Die Vorsitzende
Translation:
I sit at the front, but have no throne.
I lead the meeting, know the tone and person.
Sometimes I am 'der', sometimes 'die', depending on the form.
Who am I, bringing order and keeping things warm?
... The Chairperson (der/die Vorsitzende)
✨ Additional Information
Word Formation:
- The word Vorsitzende(r) is a nominalization (substantivization) of the present participle of vorsitzen.
- vorsitzen = prefix vor- (in front, at the head) + verb sitzen (to sit).
Trivia:
- In many organizations, there is also a stellvertretende(r) Vorsitzende(r) (deputy chairperson / vice-chairperson).
- The precise duties and powers of a chairperson are usually defined in the statutes or rules of procedure of the respective organization.
📝 Summary: is it der or die Vorsitzende?
The word Vorsitzende refers to the person who chairs a meeting or organization. Use der Vorsitzende for a male chairperson and die Vorsitzende for a female chairperson. Its declension follows the rules for nominalized adjectives.