der
Wahlausgang
🗳️ Defining 'der Wahlausgang': What is it?
Der Wahlausgang refers to the result or outcome of a political Wahl (election) or vote. It indicates which party or parties, or which candidate(s), won, or how the votes were distributed.
It's a masculine noun (Maskulinum), so the article is always der.
Example: Der Wahlausgang war überraschend knapp. (The election outcome was surprisingly close.)
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ang → almost always masculine.
Grammar Insights: Declining 'der Wahlausgang'
As 'Wahlausgang' is masculine, it is declined accordingly.
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (subject) | der Wahlausgang | ein Wahlausgang |
| Genitive (possessive) | des Wahlausgangs / Wahlausganges | eines Wahlausgangs / Wahlausganges |
| Dative (indirect object) | dem Wahlausgang / Wahlausgange | einem Wahlausgang / Wahlausgange |
| Accusative (direct object) | den Wahlausgang | einen Wahlausgang |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Wahlausgänge | Wahlausgänge |
| Genitive | der Wahlausgänge | Wahlausgänge |
| Dative | den Wahlausgängen | Wahlausgängen |
| Accusative | die Wahlausgänge | Wahlausgänge |
Example Sentences
- Der Wahlausgang wurde mit Spannung erwartet. (The election outcome was eagerly awaited.)
- Die Analyse des Wahlausgangs dauerte mehrere Tage. (The analysis of the election outcome took several days.)
- Nach dem knappen Wahlausgang gab es viele Diskussionen. (After the close election outcome, there were many discussions.)
- Wir müssen den Wahlausgang nun akzeptieren. (We must now accept the election outcome.)
- Die Wahlausgänge der letzten Jahre zeigen einen Trend. (The election outcomes of recent years show a trend.)
Using 'Wahlausgang' in Context
The term 'der Wahlausgang' is primarily used in the context of politics and elections. You will often find it in:
- News reports and analyses
- Political discussions
- Academic texts on electoral research
- Official announcements of election results
It's a slightly more formal term than, for example, "das Wahlergebnis" (election result), but they are often used synonymously. 'Wahlausgang' sometimes emphasizes the process of 'coming out' slightly more, i.e., the result of a process.
⚠️ Don't confuse it with "das Wahllokal" (polling station) or "der Wahlgang" (ballot, round of voting).
Memory Hooks: Remembering Article and Meaning
For the article 'der': Think of der Erfolg (success) or der Ausgang (exit, outcome) – both are often associated with masculine concepts or are grammatically masculine in German. Der decisive moment, der outcome of the election.
For the meaning: An election is like a maze (the campaign), and der Wahlausgang is the only way out, the final result emerging at the 'Ausgang' (exit).
Word Connections: Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- das Wahlergebnis: Very common and often interchangeable. (Election result)
- das Abstimmungsergebnis: More specific to votes/referendums, but similar. (Voting result)
- der Stimmanteil: Refers to the percentage share of votes, part of the outcome. (Vote share)
- die Sitzverteilung: Specific result regarding parliamentary seats. (Seat distribution)
Antonyms (opposite concept):
- der Wahlkampf: The phase before the election. (Election campaign)
- die Stimmabgabe: The act of voting itself. (Casting of votes)
- der Wahlprozess: The entire procedure from start to finish. (Election process)
- die Wahlbeteiligung: How many people voted (not the result itself). (Voter turnout)
Similar but different words:
🤣 A Little Election Joke
Fragt ein Politiker den anderen nach der Wahl: "Und, wie ist dein Wahlausgang?"
Antwortet der andere: "Naja, ich bin jetzt öfter am Ausgang als am Eingang des Parlaments..."
Translation:
One politician asks another after the election: "So, what's your election outcome (Wahlausgang)?"
The other replies: "Well, I'm now more often at the exit (Ausgang) than the entrance of the parliament..."
Poetic Outcome
Die Stimmen sind gezählt, die Nacht war lang,
Nun steht er fest, der Wahlausgang.
Mal Jubel laut, mal Stille tief,
Das Volk entschied, rief oder schlief.
Ein neues Kapitel, das nun beginnt,
Durch den Wahlausgang, der uns bestimmt.
Translation:
The votes are counted, the night was long,
Now it's confirmed, the election's outcome.
Sometimes loud cheers, sometimes silence deep,
The people decided, called out or were asleep.
A new chapter, that now begins,
Through the election's outcome, which determines our sins (or fate).
🤔 What Am I?
Ich komme erst, wenn alle Stimmen schweigen,
und Zahlen sollen meinen Wert dann zeigen.
Ich bringe Freude oder auch Verdruss,
von mir hängt ab der nächste politische Kurs.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I only come when all voices fall silent,
and numbers are then meant to show my value.
I bring joy or also annoyance,
the next political course depends on me.
What am I?
Solution: Der Wahlausgang (The election outcome)
Word Breakdown: Composition
The word 'Wahlausgang' is a compound noun, formed from:
- Die Wahl: Refers to the act of voting or the election itself.
- Der Ausgang: Here used in the sense of 'result', 'outcome', or 'end' of a process (literally 'exit').
Together, they mean: The result/outcome of the election.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wahlausgang?
The noun 'Wahlausgang' is masculine, so the correct article is always der Wahlausgang.