der  Wahlsieg

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvaːlˌziːk/

🗳️ What does "der Wahlsieg" mean?

The German noun der Wahlsieg refers to an electoral victory or election victory. It signifies the success of a party, a person, or a list in an election, meaning they have won the necessary majority of votes or seats to be considered the winner.

The word is a compound noun formed from:

• die Wahl (the election, the choice)
• der Sieg (the victory)

There's only one article, der, because the gender of compound nouns in German is usually determined by the last part of the word (das Grundwort), and 'Sieg' is masculine (der).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Wahlsieg

The noun "Wahlsieg" is masculine (maskulin). It follows the strong declension pattern.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Der Wahlsieg der Partei wurde von vielen Analysten erwartet.
   (The party's election victory was expected by many analysts.)
2. Nach dem knappen Wahlsieg begannen die Koalitionsverhandlungen.
   (After the narrow election victory, coalition negotiations began.)
3. Sie feierten ihren überraschenden Wahlsieg bis in die Morgenstunden.
   (They celebrated their surprising election victory until the early morning hours.)
4. Der Kandidat sprach in seiner Rede von einem historischen Wahlsieg.
   (In his speech, the candidate spoke of a historic election victory.)

🎤 Usage in Context

"Der Wahlsieg" is primarily used in political contexts to describe the outcome of elections (e.g., federal elections - Bundestagswahlen, state elections - Landtagswahlen, presidential elections - Präsidentschaftswahlen). It can refer to winning an absolute majority, a relative majority, or achieving a specific electoral goal.

Typical phrases include:

• einen Wahlsieg erringen / feiern / verkünden (to achieve / celebrate / announce an election victory)
• ein knapper / klarer / überraschender / historischer Wahlsieg (a narrow / clear / surprising / historic election victory)
• zum Wahlsieg gratulieren (to congratulate on the election victory)

It differs from terms like Stimmenmehrheit (majority of votes), which can be part of a Wahlsieg but isn't necessarily the victory itself, or Mandatsgewinn (seat gain), which focuses on the number of seats won.

🧠 Memory Aids for Wahlsieg

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Sieger (the male winner). A victory (Sieg) is masculine, hence der Wahlsieg.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a crowd celebrating the Sieger (winner) of a Wahl (election) – that's the Wahlsieg.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Note: Wahlergebnis (election result) is more neutral and describes the outcome, whether it's a victory or defeat.

😂 A Little Joke

Ein Politiker fragt den anderen nach der Wahl: "Und, wie lief's?" Antwortet der: "Ich hatte einen Erdrutschsieg!" Fragt der erste: "Wirklich? Wie viele Stimmen?" Sagt der zweite: "Zwei... meine und die meiner Frau. Aber die Erde ist unter mir gerutscht, als ich das Ergebnis hörte!"

(Translation: One politician asks another after the election: "So, how did it go?" The other replies: "I had a landslide victory!" The first asks: "Really? How many votes?" The second says: "Two... mine and my wife's. But the earth slid from under me when I heard the result!" - Okay, not quite a real Wahlsieg 😉)

✍️ Poem about Wahlsieg

Die Stimmen gezählt, die Nacht war lang,
dann endlich der erlösende Klang:
Ein Jubelruf, ein Freudenschrei,
der Wahlsieg ist nun endlich frei!

Die Mehrheit klar, das Ziel erreicht,
die Mühe hat sich ausgezahlt, ganz leicht
fühlt sich das Herz, der Druck ist fort,
ein Sieg an diesem wichtigen Ort.

(Translation:
The votes are counted, the night was long,
then finally the redeeming sound:
A cheer, a cry of joy,
the election victory is finally free!

The majority clear, the goal achieved,
the effort has paid off, quite lightly
feels the heart, the pressure is gone,
a victory at this important place.)

❓ Riddle

Ich komme nach dem Kreuzchenmachen,
bring' die einen laut zum Lachen.
Für die andern bin ich bitter,
doch für die Gewinner Glitzer.
Man feiert mich mit großem Hall,
denn ich bin der Erfolg im Wahl-Fall.

Was bin ich? (Answer: Der Wahlsieg)

(Translation:
I come after the crosses are made,
making some laugh out loud, unafraid.
For others, I am bitter, it's true,
but for the winners, I glitter anew.
They celebrate me with great cheer,
for I am success when elections are here.

What am I?
Answer: The election victory)

🧩 More Information

Word Composition:

• Wahl: from Old High German 'wala' (selection, choice, election)
• Sieg: from Old High German 'sigu' (victory)

So, the word "Wahlsieg" combines the concepts of choice/decision (Wahl) and superiority/success (Sieg).

Trivia: A particularly decisive election victory is often called an "Erdrutschsieg" (landslide victory).