die
Bundesregierung
🏛️ What Exactly is 'die Bundesregierung'?
Die Bundesregierung is the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. It's the highest executive authority. It consists of the Bundeskanzler (Federal Chancellor, male or female) and the Bundesminister (Federal Ministers, male or female). It manages the affairs of the government at the federal level.
The word is feminine, so the definite article is die.
🚨 Attention: Don't confuse it with the Bundestag (the parliament, legislative branch) or the Bundesrat (the representation of the federal states).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
📝 Grammar in Detail: Die Bundesregierung
The noun "Bundesregierung" is feminine. Here is its declension in the singular:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Bundesregierung |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Bundesregierung |
| Dative (To/For Whom?) | der | Bundesregierung |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Bundesregierung |
The plural form is "die Bundesregierungen", but it's mostly used when referring to different governments over time or in different countries (e.g., "die Bundesregierungen der letzten Jahrzehnte" - the federal governments of the last decades). In normal usage, "die Bundesregierung" refers to the current government in office.
Example Sentences
- Nominative: Die Bundesregierung tagt heute in Berlin. (The Federal Government is meeting in Berlin today.)
- Genitive: Die Entscheidungen der Bundesregierung werden oft diskutiert. (The decisions of the Federal Government are often discussed.)
- Dative: Man vertraut der Bundesregierung in dieser Frage. (People trust the Federal Government on this issue.)
- Accusative: Die Opposition kritisiert die Bundesregierung scharf. (The opposition sharply criticizes the Federal Government.)
🗣️ How is 'die Bundesregierung' Used?
The term "Bundesregierung" is mainly used in political and media contexts.
- Political Discussions: When talking about legislative proposals, political decisions, or the composition of the cabinet (Kabinett).
- News Reports: In coverage of the government's work, press conferences (Pressekonferenzen), or government declarations (Regierungserklärungen).
- Official Documents: In laws (Gesetze), regulations (Verordnungen), and official announcements (amtliche Bekanntmachungen).
In everyday life, you often hear the term in news broadcasts or read it in newspapers. Sometimes, colloquially, people just say "die Regierung" if it's clear that the federal level is meant.
Comparison:
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Remembering the Article 'die':
Think: A government often involves leadership and administration, both concepts that can be associated with feminine nouns in German (e.g., die Führung - the leadership, die Verwaltung - the administration). Also, many German nouns ending in '-ung' like Regierung are feminine. So, it's die Bundesregierung.
Remembering the Meaning:
Picture the government as a 'bundle' (Bund) of ministers who govern (Regierung) the federation (Bund). Bund (federation/bundle) + Regierung (government) = Bundesregierung (Federal Government).
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- (Bundes-)Kabinett: Often refers specifically to the group of ministers led by the Chancellor.
- Regierung: (Government) More general term, can also refer to state governments (Landesregierungen).
- Exekutive (auf Bundesebene): (Executive [at federal level]) Technical term for the executive branch.
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Opposition: The parties in parliament that do not form the government.
- Parlament / Bundestag: The legislative branch.
- Judikative / Gerichte: (Judiciary / Courts) The judicial branch.
- Landesregierung: The government of a federal state.
⚠️ Similar Terms (Potential Confusion!):
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Bürger den anderen: "Was ist der Unterschied zwischen der Bundesregierung und einem Joghurt?"
Antwortet der andere: "Der Joghurt hat wenigstens eine aktive Kultur!" 😉
Translation:
One citizen asks another: "What's the difference between the Federal Government and a yogurt?"
The other replies: "At least the yogurt has an active culture!" 😉
📜 Poem about the Bundesregierung
Im Kanzleramt, da wird beraten,
mit Ministern, ernsten Paten.
Die Bundesregierung, Tag für Tag,
entscheidet, was geschehen mag.
Gesetze kommen, Pläne reifen,
manchmal muss man fest zugreifen.
Mal Lob, mal Tadel, Wind und Wetter,
so lenkt sie Deutschland, Blatt für Blätter.
Translation:
In the Chancellery, they deliberate,
with ministers, serious delegates.
The Federal Government, day by day,
decides what may come what may.
Laws arrive, plans mature,
sometimes one must act secure.
Praise or blame, wind and weather,
so it guides Germany, page by feather (lit. leaf by leaf).
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe einen Chef oder eine Chefin an der Spitze,
viele Helfer, die schwitzen.
Ich leite das Land, doch bin kein König,
mein Sitz ist in Berlin, das ist nicht wenig.
Wer oder was bin ich?
Lösung/Solution: Die Bundesregierung
Translation:
I have a male or female boss at the top,
many helpers who sweat (work hard).
I lead the country, but am not a king,
my seat is in Berlin, which isn't a small thing.
Who or what am I?
Solution: The Federal Government (die Bundesregierung)
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Bundesregierung" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Bund: Refers to the federation, the Federal Republic of Germany. Can also mean alliance or bundle.
- Regierung: Means government, the executive power, the leadership of a state.
Trivia:
- The seat of the Bundesregierung is Berlin. However, many ministries (Ministerien) still maintain a secondary office in the former capital, Bonn.
- The composition of the Bundesregierung (coalitions, ministries) can change after each federal election (Bundestagswahl).
Summary: is it der, die or das Bundesregierung?
The correct article for Bundesregierung is die. It is a feminine noun (die Regierung). Remember: Nouns ending in '-ung' like Regierung are typically feminine.