die  Bürgermeisterin

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbʏʁɡɐˌmeːstɐɪn/

👩‍💼 What does "die Bürgermeisterin" mean?

Die Bürgermeisterin is the feminine form of "der Bürgermeister". It refers to a woman who holds the office of mayor, meaning she is the head of the administration of a city or municipality (Gemeinde). She is the elected leader of the community.

• It is a feminine noun.
• There is only this one meaning for the word.

🚨 Attention: The word exclusively refers to a woman. For a man, you use "der Bürgermeister".

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Bürgermeisterin

"Bürgermeisterin" is a feminine noun and always takes the article "die". It follows the weak declension pattern for feminine nouns.

Example Sentences

1. Die neue Bürgermeisterin wurde gestern vereidigt.
   (The new female mayor was sworn in yesterday.)
2. Wir hatten ein Gespräch mit der Bürgermeisterin über das Bauprojekt.
   (We had a conversation with the female mayor about the construction project.)
3. Viele Bürgerinnen und Bürger vertrauen der Bürgermeisterin.
   (Many citizens trust the female mayor.)
4. Hast du die Bürgermeisterin schon persönlich kennengelernt?
   (Have you met the female mayor personally yet?)
5. In der Konferenz trafen sich mehrere Bürgermeisterinnen aus der Region.
   (Several female mayors from the region met at the conference.)

🗣️ How "die Bürgermeisterin" is Used

The term "Bürgermeisterin" is used in political and administrative contexts to denote the female person leading a municipal administration.

• Official Address: "Frau Bürgermeisterin" is the correct form of address.
• Context: People talk about the Bürgermeisterin in relation to local politics (Kommunalpolitik), city/municipal administrative decisions, public appearances, or elections (Wahlen).
• Distinction: It's important to differentiate between "die Bürgermeisterin" (female) and "der Bürgermeister" (male). The suffix "-in" clearly marks the female gender of the officeholder.

🧠 Mnemonics for Bürgermeisterin

Article Mnemonic: Feminine job titles often end in "-in" and take the article "die" – just like die Königin (queen) or die Lehrerin (female teacher), it's die Bürgermeisterin. Remember: "-in" needs "die"!

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of a woman (indicated by "-in") who is the 'master' (Meister) of the citizens' (Bürger) affairs – the female mayor (Bürgermeisterin).

🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms

⚠️ Note that there isn't a direct antonym, but the masculine form "der Bürgermeister" serves as the gender counterpart.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Bürger die Bürgermeisterin: "Frau Bürgermeisterin, was halten Sie von Politikern?"
Antwortet sie lächelnd: "Einen Sicherheitsabstand, wie von allen großen Baustellen!"

Translation: A citizen asks the female mayor: "Madam Mayor, what do you think of politicians?"
She replies smilingly: "A safe distance, just like from all large construction sites!"

📜 A Little Poem

Im Rathaus, mit Plan und Elan,
trifft Entscheidungen, klug und souverän.
Die Bürger hört sie, groß und klein,
die Bürgermeisterin soll's sein!
Für Stadt und Leute, Tag und Nacht,
hat sie die Führung übernommen mit Macht.

Translation:
In the town hall, with plan and zest,
Making decisions, wise and blessed.
She listens to citizens, big and small,
It should be the female mayor, standing tall!
For town and people, day and night,
She's taken the lead with all her might.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich trage keine Krone, doch leite eine Stadt,
bin weiblich und hab' oft 'nen vollen Aktenschrank parat.
Ich schüttle Hände, halte Reden, kümmre mich ums Wohl,
bin gewählt vom Volk, sitz' im höchsten Stuhl.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I wear no crown, but lead a town,
I'm female and often have files all around.
I shake hands, give speeches, care for well-being,
Elected by the people, in the highest chair I'm seeing.

Who am I?

Solution: die Bürgermeisterin (the female mayor)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition:

• Bürger: Refers to the citizens of the municipality or city.
• Meister: Historically, often a person holding a leading or supervisory role ('master').
• -in: The suffix used to form the feminine version of nouns, especially occupations.

Trivia: The number of female mayors (Bürgermeisterinnen) in Germany has increased significantly in recent decades, reflecting greater gender equality in political offices.