der
Wahlgang
🗳️ What Exactly is a Wahlgang?
The German noun der Wahlgang refers to the process of voting itself or to a single round within a multi-stage election process.
- Meaning 1: The act of voting, often considered as a whole (e.g., der gesamte Wahlgang verlief ruhig - the entire voting process went smoothly).
- Meaning 2: A single round of voting in an election, especially when multiple rounds are needed to determine a winner (e.g., der erste Wahlgang - the first ballot/round, der zweite Wahlgang - the second ballot/round, die Stichwahl - the runoff election).
It is a masculine noun and always uses the article "der".
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ang → almost always masculine.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Wahlgang
The noun "Wahlgang" is masculine. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Wahlgang |
| Genitive | des | Wahlgang(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Wahlgang(e) |
| Accusative | den | Wahlgang |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wahlgänge |
| Genitive | der | Wahlgänge |
| Dative | den | Wahlgängen |
| Accusative | die | Wahlgänge |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der erste Wahlgang brachte keine absolute Mehrheit. (The first ballot/round did not result in an absolute majority.)
- Die Wahlbeteiligung war während des gesamten Wahlgangs hoch. (Voter turnout was high during the entire voting process.)
- Oft entscheidet erst der zweite Wahlgang über den Sieger. (Often, only the second ballot/round determines the winner.)
- Nach einem spannenden Wahlgang stand das Ergebnis fest. (After an exciting ballot/round, the result was determined.)
💼 When to Use "der Wahlgang"?
"Der Wahlgang" is primarily used in the context of elections and votes, especially in political or institutional settings (e.g., parliamentary elections, presidential elections, club elections).
- One speaks of mehreren Wahlgängen (multiple ballots/rounds) if no candidate achieves the required majority in the first attempt.
- The term can refer to the entire process of voting on a specific day ("Der Wahlgang beginnt um 8 Uhr." - "The voting starts at 8 a.m.") or to a specific round ("Im dritten Wahlgang wurde der Kandidat gewählt." - "The candidate was elected in the third round.").
- It is more formal than simply Wahl (election) or Abstimmung (vote, ballot), but emphasizes the procedural aspect of a single round or the entire act.
Distinction: While "die Wahl" refers to the entire event or the choice itself, "der Wahlgang" focuses more on the individual voting process or a round thereof.
💡 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Imagine a voter taking his ballot (Wahl) and making a 'gangway' (like a path or corridor - Gang) to the ballot box. It's 'der Gang' (the corridor/path), so it's der Wahlgang.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of a 'round' (like a boxing round) or a 'stage' in a process. A Wahlgang is one 'round' or 'stage' in the election process.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Abstimmung(srunde): (Voting round/ballot) Often used synonymously, especially for a single round.
- Urnengang: (Trip to the ballot box) Emphasizes the act of going to vote, often used for the entire voting process.
- Stichwahl: (Runoff election) A specific second (or final) ballot between the top two candidates.
- Abstimmungsvorgang: (Voting procedure) Very formal, describes the process.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
Direct antonyms are difficult. One could argue:
- Wahlperiode / Legislaturperiode: (Term of office / legislative period) Refers to the time *after* the election when the winners hold office.
- Ernennung / Berufung: (Appointment) Describes filling a position *without* an election.
Related Terms:
- Die Wahl: The election (event) or choice.
- Das Wahlergebnis: The election result.
- Der Wahlzettel: The ballot paper.
😄 A Little Joke
Frage: Warum gehen Bleistifte ungern zum Wahlgang?
Antwort: Weil sie Angst haben, abgewählt zu werden und angespitzt zu werden!
--- Translation ---
Question: Why don't pencils like to go to the ballot/voting?
Answer: Because they are afraid of being voted out (abgewählt) and getting sharpened (angespitzt)! (Pun on German politics where someone can be 'sharpened' meaning attacked or criticized intensely).
📜 A Poem About the Wahlgang
Der Bürger tritt zum Tisch heran,
nimmt Zettel, Stift, fängt an sodann.
Ein Kreuz gemacht, gefaltet klein,
so soll die Stimmabgabe sein.
Der erste Wahlgang, spannend sehr,
bringt er die Mehrheit schon daher?
Wenn nicht, dann folgt, das ist der Lauf,
ein zweiter Wahlgang hintendrauf.
--- Translation ---
The citizen approaches the table,
takes paper, pen, then begins.
A cross is made, folded small,
that's how the vote should be cast.
The first ballot, very exciting,
does it already bring the majority?
If not, then follows, that's the course,
a second ballot right after.
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Schritt in der Demokratie,
manchmal der erste, manchmal spät wie nie.
Ich zähle Stimmen, Runde für Runde,
bis feststeht der Sieger zur späten Stunde.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: der Wahlgang
--- Translation ---
I am a step in democracy,
sometimes the first, sometimes later than ever.
I count votes, round by round,
until the winner is decided late in the hour.
What am I?
Solution: der Wahlgang (the ballot/round of voting)
✨ Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Wahlgang" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Die Wahl: The act of choosing or the election as an event.
- Der Gang: Here in the sense of process, round, procedure, or the physical act of walking (to the ballot box).
This composition highlights the meaning as 'procedure or round of an election'.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wahlgang?
The German noun "Wahlgang" is masculine. The correct article is always der Wahlgang. The plural form is die Wahlgänge.