die
Amnestie
📜 What does "die Amnestie" mean?
Die Amnestie (noun, feminine) means amnesty or pardon. It typically refers to a legal or political act granted by law or decree to a group of people, often in a political context. It's an act of clemency where prosecution or punishment for specific offenses is waived.
Unlike an individual Begnadigung (pardon), an Amnestie usually applies to an undefined number of offenders within a certain category (e.g., politische Gefangene - political prisoners, Steuerhinterzieher - tax evaders up to a certain degree).
🚨 The word is always feminine: die Amnestie.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ie → almost always feminine.
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📚 Grammar of "Amnestie" in Detail
The noun "Amnestie" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Amnestie |
| Genitive | der | Amnestie |
| Dative | der | Amnestie |
| Accusative | die | Amnestie |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Amnestien |
| Genitive | der | Amnestien |
| Dative | den | Amnestien |
| Accusative | die | Amnestien |
💡 Example Sentences
- Die Regierung erwägt eine Amnestie für politische Gefangene. (The government is considering an amnesty for political prisoners.)
- Nach dem Regierungswechsel wurde eine allgemeine Amnestie erlassen. (After the change of government, a general amnesty was issued.)
- Viele hofften auf eine Amnestie, um ihre Strafen zu mindern. (Many hoped for an amnesty to reduce their sentences.)
- Die Bedingungen der Amnestie wurden öffentlich bekannt gegeben. (The conditions of the amnesty were publicly announced.)
- Durch die Amnestie kamen tausende Häftlinge frei. (Through the amnesty, thousands of prisoners were released.)
🗣️ How to use "Amnestie"?
"Amnestie" is primarily used in legal and political language. It describes an official act of state clemency.
- Context: Discussions about legislation, political decisions, historical events (e.g., after wars or upheavals), human rights.
- Typical Verbs: eine Amnestie erlassen (to issue an amnesty), gewähren (to grant), verkünden (to announce); unter eine Amnestie fallen (to be covered by an amnesty).
- Differentiation: A Begnadigung (pardon, die Gnade - grace) usually refers to an individual and can also include expunging the criminal record, whereas an Amnestie often only means waiving the punishment for a group and doesn't nullify or erase the act itself.
- Risk of Confusion: Do not confuse with Amnesie (amnesia)! ⚠️
🧠 Mnemonics for Amnestie
Remember the article "die": Think of die Politik (politics) or die Gnade (grace/mercy) – both feminine words often associated with Amnestie. The ending '-ie' in German nouns is often feminine (like die Magie, die Sympathie).
Remember the meaning: "Amnestie" sounds a bit like "I am nasty? Eeeh... forget it!". Imagine someone being accused, but the state decides to "forget" the offense. Alternatively, connect it to its Greek root meaning "forgetfulness".
↔️ Opposites & Similar Words: Amnestie
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Bestrafung (die): Punishment.
- Verurteilung (die): Conviction, sentencing.
- Anklage (die): Indictment, charge.
- Strafverfolgung (die): Criminal prosecution.
⚠️ Similar but Different Words
- Amnesie (die): Amnesia (memory loss). Sounds similar, but means something completely different!
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Politiker den anderen: "Glaubst du, wir sollten eine Amnestie für Steuerhinterzieher erlassen?" Sagt der andere: "Nur wenn wir sie rückwirkend auch für uns selbst gelten lassen!" 😉
(One politician asks another: "Do you think we should issue an amnesty for tax evaders?" The other replies: "Only if we make it retroactive for ourselves too!")
📜 A Little Poem
Mauern fallen, Tore weit,
Die Amnestie macht Herzen breit.
Vergessen sei die Schuld, die Not,
Ein Neuanfang im Morgenrot.
Ein Akt der Milde, groß und klar,
Für eine ganze Menschenschar.
(Walls fall, gates wide, / The amnesty makes hearts open wide. / Forgotten be the guilt, the plight, / A new beginning in morning light. / An act of mercy, grand and clear, / For a whole crowd of people dear.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Wort aus Politik und Recht,
Bring Freiheit manchem armen Knecht.
Nicht für den Einzelnen allein,
Für eine Gruppe soll ich sein.
Der Staat erlässt mich per Gesetz,
Verwechslung mit Vergessen schmerzt.
Wer bin ich? 🤔
(I am a word from politics and law, / Bringing freedom to many a poor soul in awe. / Not just for the individual one, / For a whole group, my work is done. / The state enacts me by decree, / Confusing me with forgetting causes misery. / Who am I?)
(Solution: die Amnestie)
🌐 More about Amnestie
- Word Origin: The word comes from Ancient Greek ἀμνηστία (amnēstía), meaning “forgetfulness,” “non-remembrance.” It is related to Amnesie (amnesia).
- Famous Amnesties: History has seen many famous amnesties, often after political upheavals, e.g., the amnesty for draft evaders after the Vietnam War in the USA or amnesties in South Africa after the end of Apartheid.
- Collocations: Common combinations are "eine Amnestie erlassen" (to issue an amnesty), "eine Amnestie gewähren" (to grant an amnesty), "eine allgemeine Amnestie" (a general amnesty), "eine politische Amnestie" (a political amnesty).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Amnestie?
The word "Amnestie" is always feminine. The correct article is die. So it is always die Amnestie (nominative/accusative singular), der Amnestie (genitive/dative singular), and die Amnestien (plural).