die
Bundesgesundheitsministerin
🏛️ What does 'die Bundesgesundheitsministerin' mean?
Die Bundesgesundheitsministerin is the female person who heads the Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit) in Germany. She is a member of the federal government (Bundesregierung) and responsible for health policy at the federal level.
It refers to a specific office in German politics. The word is composed of:
- Bund: Refers to the federal level of Germany (as opposed to the states or Länder).
- Gesundheit: Meaning 'health', the policy area she is responsible for.
- Ministerin: The female form of a minister (Minister), i.e., a person heading a ministry.
Since it refers to a female person, the article is always die. 👩⚕️🇩🇪
Article rules for der, die, and das
Women → almost always feminine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
-in → mostly feminine.
All persons and professions ending in -in are feminine. Other -in nouns can be der/die/das.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: die Bundesgesundheitsministerin
The word 'Bundesgesundheitsministerin' is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Bundesgesundheitsministerin |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Bundesgesundheitsministerin |
| Dative (To whom?) | der | Bundesgesundheitsministerin |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Bundesgesundheitsministerin |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Bundesgesundheitsministerinnen |
| Genitive | der | Bundesgesundheitsministerinnen |
| Dative | den | Bundesgesundheitsministerinnen |
| Accusative | die | Bundesgesundheitsministerinnen |
Example Sentences
- Die aktuelle Bundesgesundheitsministerin stellte die neue Reform vor.
(The current Federal Minister of Health presented the new reform.) - Die Rede der Bundesgesundheitsministerin wurde aufmerksam verfolgt.
(The speech of the Federal Minister of Health was followed attentively.) - Man dankte der Bundesgesundheitsministerin für ihre Arbeit.
(Thanks were given to the Federal Minister of Health for her work.) - Die Opposition kritisierte die Bundesgesundheitsministerin scharf.
(The opposition sharply criticized the Federal Minister of Health.) - Es gab bereits mehrere Bundesgesundheitsministerinnen in Deutschland.
(There have already been several female Federal Ministers of Health in Germany.)
🗣️ How 'die Bundesgesundheitsministerin' is used
The term die Bundesgesundheitsministerin is used specifically in the political and media context of Germany.
- Formal Context: In news reports, political debates, official documents, and press releases.
- Job Title: It designates the specific person holding this office.
- Distinction: It's important to distinguish her from state health ministers (Landesgesundheitsministerinnen), who operate at the state level. The prefix 'Bundes-' clarifies this.
- Male Form: The male counterpart is 'der Bundesgesundheitsminister'.
Sometimes, people might shorten it to 'die Gesundheitsministerin' if the context (federal level) is clear.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article 'die': Think of 'die Ministerin'. Since 'Bundesgesundheitsministerin' ends in '-in', it's feminine and takes the article 'die'. Like 'the' female boss (die Chefin) of federal healthcare.
Remembering the Meaning: Break down the word: Bundes (for all of Germany / federal) + Gesundheit (health, her topic) + Ministerin (the female minister/boss). She's the top health boss for the federal level.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Gesundheitsministerin des Bundes (Federal Health Minister)
- Leiterin des Bundesgesundheitsministeriums (Head of the Federal Ministry of Health)
- Chefin des BMG (Female boss of the BMG - Bundesministerium für Gesundheit)
Note: These are more like descriptions than direct synonyms, as 'Bundesgesundheitsministerin' is the official and most common term.
Antonyms (Opposite/Different):
- Der Bundesgesundheitsminister (male form)
- Landesgesundheitsministerin (different administrative level - state level)
- Oppositionspolitikerin im Gesundheitsausschuss (different role - opposition politician in the health committee)
- Bürgerin / Patientin (citizen / patient - no political office)
Similar but Different Terms:
- Gesundheitsministerin: Can also refer to a state minister if the context isn't clear.
- Staatssekretärin im Gesundheitsministerium: (State secretary in the health ministry) - A lower-ranking position.
😄 A Little Joke
Frage: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen der Bundesgesundheitsministerin und einem Arzt?
Antwort: Der Arzt hilft einzelnen Kranken, die Bundesgesundheitsministerin muss sich um ein ganzes krankes System kümmern. 😉
Translation:
Question: What's the difference between the Federal Minister of Health and a doctor?
Answer: The doctor helps individual sick people; the Federal Minister of Health has to take care of an entire sick system. 😉
📜 Poem about the Minister
Die Bundesgesundheitsministerin wacht, Über Wohl und Wehe, bei Tag und Nacht. Für Kliniken, Pflege, für Pillen und Rat, Steht sie im Bund für die wichtige Tat. Mal Lob, mal Kritik, das Amt ist nicht leicht, Wenn sie für Deutschlands Gesundheit die Weichen stellt.
Translation:
The Federal Minister of Health keeps watch,
Over weal and woe, by day and night.
For clinics, care, for pills and advice,
She stands in the federation for the important deed.
Sometimes praise, sometimes criticism, the office isn't easy,
When she sets the course for Germany's health.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich trage 'die' als Artikel voran,
bin Chefin im Bund, für Gesundheit im Plan.Mein Ministerium sitzt in Berlin oder Bonn,
Gesetze und Regeln sind mein Lohn.Wer bin ich, in weiblicher Form benannt?
Lösung: Die Bundesgesundheitsministerin
Translation:
I carry 'die' as my preceding article,
I'm the female boss at the federal level, with a plan for health.
My ministry is located in Berlin or Bonn,
Laws and regulations are my reward.
Who am I, named in the female form?
Solution: Die Bundesgesundheitsministerin (The female Federal Minister of Health)
💡 Trivia / Other Information
Word Composition: As mentioned, 'Bundesgesundheitsministerin' is a compound noun (Kompositum), formed from 'Bund' (federal), 'Gesundheit' (health), and 'Ministerin' (female minister). Such long compounds are typical of German, especially in political and administrative language.
Office Location: The Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit - BMG) has offices in Bonn and Berlin.
Notable Office Holders: Throughout the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, several women have held this office, e.g., Ulla Schmidt or Andrea Fischer (although their exact title might have varied slightly over time).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Bundesgesundheitsministerin?
The word 'Bundesgesundheitsministerin' refers to a female person and is therefore always feminine. The correct article is exclusively die.