der  Weltsicherheitsrat

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvɛltˌzɪçəʁhaɪtsˌʁaːt/

🌍 What does "der Weltsicherheitsrat" mean?

Der Weltsicherheitsrat (also known as Sicherheitsrat der Vereinten Nationen or UN-Sicherheitsrat) is the United Nations Security Council. It is the most powerful body within the United Nations (UN). Its primary responsibility is maintaining international peace and security. It can pass binding resolutions, impose sanctions, or authorize military interventions.

It refers to a specific entity, hence it only uses the masculine article der.

Composition: Welt (world) + Sicherheit (security) + Rat (council) = A council concerned with the security of the world.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Weltsicherheitsrat

The noun "Weltsicherheitsrat" is masculine. It is used with the article der.

Example Sentences

1. Der Weltsicherheitsrat trat zu einer Dringlichkeitssitzung zusammen.
   (The Security Council convened for an emergency meeting.)
2. Die Entscheidung des Weltsicherheitsrates wurde weltweit diskutiert.
   (The Security Council's decision was discussed worldwide.)
3. Man legte dem Weltsicherheitsrat neue Beweise vor.
   (New evidence was presented to the Security Council.)
4. Die Generalversammlung kann Empfehlungen an den Weltsicherheitsrat richten.
   (The General Assembly can make recommendations to the Security Council.)

🗣️ How to use "Weltsicherheitsrat"?

The term "Weltsicherheitsrat" is used almost exclusively in the context of international politics and the United Nations.

• Context: News reports, political discussions, history lessons, international law texts.
• Synonyms: Often, the abbreviation UN-Sicherheitsrat or simply Sicherheitsrat (when the UN context is clear) is used.
• Focus: It emphasizes the global ('Welt') responsibility for security ('Sicherheit') handled by a council ('Rat').

🧠 Mnemonics

For the article "der": Remember der Rat (the council). Many council-like bodies in German are masculine (der Bundestag, der Aufsichtsrat). Der Weltsicherheitsrat fits this pattern. Think: the 'rat' pack (council) is led by a 'der'.

For the meaning: Imagine advisors ('RATgeber') from all over the WELT (world) sitting together to advise ('beRATen') on SICHERHEIT (security). -> Weltsicherheitsrat.

↔️ Synonyms & Related Terms

Similar Terms (Beware of Confusion!)

• UN-Generalversammlung: (UN General Assembly) - Another main organ of the UN, but with different powers (all member states represented, mostly recommendatory powers).
• Internationaler Gerichtshof (IGH): (International Court of Justice, ICJ) - The principal judicial organ of the UN.
• NATO-Rat: (NATO Council) - The decision-making body of NATO, a regional military alliance.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Weltsicherheitsrat immer kalte Füße?

Weil er ständig auf dünnem Eis (des Völkerrechts) wandelt und oft eine Veto-Decke braucht! 😄

(Why does the Security Council always have cold feet?
Because it's constantly walking on thin ice (of international law) and often needs a veto blanket!)

📜 A Poem about the Council

Aus aller Welt, ein ernster Kreis,
sucht Frieden, zahlt den hohen Preis.
Der Weltsicherheitsrat tagt,
wo Diplomatie den Krieg vertagt.
Mit Veto-Macht und Resolution,
strebt er nach stabiler Nation.
Ein Ringen oft, ein schwerer Gang,
für Sicherheit, ein Leben lang.

(From all the world, a serious round,
Seeks peace, for which high price is found.
The Security Council meets,
Where diplomacy war defeats.
With veto power and resolution,
It strives for stable constitution.
A struggle often, a heavy pace,
For security, time cannot erase.)

❓ Who am I? A Riddle

Ich habe fünf ständige Mitglieder mit besonderer Macht,
und zehn weitere, die wechseln mit Bedacht.
Ich sitze in New York, mein Ziel ist der Frieden auf Erden,
doch meine Entscheidungen lassen oft lange auf sich warten oder schwer werden.

Wer bin ich?

(I have five permanent members with special power,
and ten others, who change with careful hour.
I sit in New York, my goal is peace on Earth so grand,
but my decisions often take long or are hard to command.

Who am I?)

Solution: Der Weltsicherheitsrat (The UN Security Council)

🌐 Further Information

Word Composition

The word "Weltsicherheitsrat" is a compound noun, formed from three nouns:

• Welt (die) - Refers to the global scope ('world').
• Sicherheit (die) - Refers to the main topic ('security').
• Rat (der) - Refers to the council or assembly ('council').

The gender of the compound noun is determined by the last word: der Rat → der Weltsicherheitsrat.

Trivia

• Der Weltsicherheitsrat consists of 15 members: 5 permanent members (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, USA) with veto power, and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
• The headquarters of the Security Council is at the UN Headquarters in New York City.