die  Bundespräsidentenwahl

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Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbʊndəspʁɛzɪˌdɛntn̩ˌvaːl/

🗳️ What does 'die Bundespräsidentenwahl' mean?

Die Bundespräsidentenwahl refers to the election of the German head of state, the Bundespräsident (Federal President). This election is not held directly by the people but by a specific body called the Bundesversammlung (Federal Convention).

It's a compound noun:

• Bund: Refers to the Federal Republic of Germany.
• Präsident: The president/head of state.
• Wahl: The election.

Because the base word 'Wahl' is feminine (die Wahl), 'die Bundespräsidentenwahl' is also feminine. There's only this one article.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Bundespräsidentenwahl

The noun 'Bundespräsidentenwahl' is feminine. Here is its declension:

Although elections can occur in plural (die Wahlen), 'Bundespräsidentenwahl' is mostly used in the singular as it often refers to a specific electoral event. The plural form is die Bundespräsidentenwahlen.

Example Sentences

1. Die nächste Bundespräsidentenwahl findet in fünf Jahren statt.
   (The next federal presidential election takes place in five years.)
2. Die Medien berichteten ausführlich über die Bundespräsidentenwahl.
   (The media reported extensively on the federal presidential election.)
3. Das Ergebnis der Bundespräsidentenwahl wurde mit Spannung erwartet.
   (The result of the federal presidential election was eagerly awaited.)

🗣️ Usage in Context

The term 'die Bundespräsidentenwahl' is primarily used in political and media contexts when discussing or reporting on the election of the German head of state.

• Political Debates: In discussions about candidates, procedures, and results.
• News Reporting: In newspapers, online articles, radio, and television.
• Education: In civics or political science classes explaining Germany's political system.

It is a specific term, clearly distinct from other elections like the Bundestagswahl (election of the federal parliament) or Landtagswahlen (state-level elections).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article 'die': Remember die Wahl (the election). Since 'Wahl' is the last part of the compound noun and is feminine, die Bundespräsidentenwahl is also feminine.

Meaning: Imagine a big ballot box ('Wahl') labelled 'Bundespräsident'. This links the election ('Wahl') to the office ('Bundespräsident').

🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms

😄 A Little Joke

Warum ist die Bundespräsidentenwahl so ruhig?
Weil nur die Bundesversammlung wählen darf und die ist meistens sehr gesittet! 😉

(Why is the federal presidential election so quiet?
Because only the Federal Convention gets to vote, and they are usually very well-behaved!) 😉

📜 A Poem about the Election

Im hohen Haus, tagaus, tagein,
tritt zusammen, wer soll es sein?
Die Bundesversammlung, klug und sacht,
hat bei der Bundespräsidentenwahl die Macht.
Ein Amt mit Würde, Glanz und Ehr,
für Deutschland – wer trägt es nun, wer?

(In the high house, day out, day in,
Gathers together, who shall win?
The Federal Convention, wise and gentle,
Holds the power in the presidential election, consequential.
An office of dignity, splendor, and honor,
For Germany – who will now bear it, upon her/him?)

🧩 Who am I? A Riddle

Ich finde alle paar Jahre statt,
doch wählt das Volk mich nicht direkt, oh Schreck!
Ein Gremium, eigens dafür gemacht,
bestimmt das Oberhaupt, mit viel Respekt.

Wie nennt man diesen Wahlakt, fein,
für Deutschlands höchsten Posten, rein?

(I happen every few years, it's true,
But the people don't vote directly, phew!
A special committee, made just for this,
Appoints the head of state, sealed with a kiss (of respect).

What is this electoral act called, my friend,
For Germany's highest office, until the end?)

Solution: die Bundespräsidentenwahl

✨ Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition: The word is a compound of:

• Bund (federal state) + -es- (linking element)
• Präsident (president) + -en- (linking element)
• Wahl (election)

Trivia: The Bundesversammlung (Federal Convention) that elects the Bundespräsident consists of all members of the Bundestag (Federal Parliament) and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments (Landtage). It convenes solely for this purpose.