die
Bundesversammlung
🏛️ What exactly is 'die Bundesversammlung'?
Die Bundesversammlung is a constitutional body (Verfassungsorgan) of the Federal Republic of Germany. Its sole purpose is to elect the German Federal President (Bundespräsident). It usually convenes only every five years (or earlier if the office of the Federal President becomes vacant prematurely).
It is Germany's largest parliamentary assembly, composed of all members of the Bundestag (the federal parliament) and an equal number of delegates elected by the parliaments of the federal states (Bundesländer).
⚠️ Attention: The term is also used in Switzerland and Austria, but refers to different bodies with different functions there. In Switzerland, it is the federal legislature (National Council and Council of States combined); in Austria, it referred to the parliament until 1920.
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 Bundesversammlung
The word Bundesversammlung is feminine. The correct article is die.
It is almost exclusively used in the singular, as it refers to a specific body. A plural form is theoretically possible but highly uncommon.
Declension (Singular)
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Bundesversammlung | eine Bundesversammlung |
| Genitive | der Bundesversammlung | einer Bundesversammlung |
| Dative | der Bundesversammlung | einer Bundesversammlung |
| Accusative | die Bundesversammlung | eine Bundesversammlung |
Example Sentences
- Die Bundesversammlung wählt den Bundespräsidenten.
(The Federal Convention elects the Federal President.) - Die Mitglieder der Bundesversammlung kommen in Berlin zusammen.
(The members of the Federal Convention convene in Berlin.) - Die Einberufung der Bundesversammlung erfolgt durch den Bundestagspräsidenten.
(The convening of the Federal Convention is done by the President of the Bundestag.)
🗣️ Usage in Context
The term die Bundesversammlung is mainly used in political and media contexts when reporting on the election of the German Federal President.
- Context: Politics, constitutional law, news, elections.
- Frequency: Relatively rare, as the assembly only takes place every few years. However, its media presence is high when it does.
- Distinction: Not to be confused with the Bundestag (the permanent German parliament) or the Bundesrat (the representation of the state governments).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
For the article 'die': Think of die Versammlung (the assembly/gathering) – words ending in '-ung' are almost always feminine in German, taking 'die'. This is the assembly for the Bund (Federation), so die Bundesversammlung.
For the meaning: Imagine the whole Bund (federation - meaning important people from federal and state levels) coming together for a large Versammlung (assembly) to make one single, important choice (the President).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms?
Synonyms (similar terms):
- Wahlgremium (Electoral college/body - specifically for the Federal President)
- Präsidentenwahlversammlung (Presidential election assembly - colloquial, descriptive)
Note: There isn't an exact, commonly used synonym, as it's a specific proper name for a constitutional body.
Similar, but different terms:
😄 A Little Joke
Deutsch: Frage: Warum trifft sich die Bundesversammlung nur alle fünf Jahre? Antwort: Damit die Abgeordneten genug Zeit haben, sich die Namen aller Kandidaten zu merken!
English: Question: Why does the Federal Convention only meet every five years? Answer: So the delegates have enough time to memorize the names of all the candidates!
📜 A Short Poem about the Bundesversammlung
Deutsch:
Aus Bund und Ländern, groß die Zahl,
kommt sie zusammen nur zur Wahl.
Im Reichstag dann, mit Stimmengewicht,
wählt die Bundesversammlung das höchste Licht,
Den Präsidenten für das Land,
mit ernster Miene, fester Hand.
English Translation:
From Federation and States, a number grand,
It gathers solely for the choice at hand.
In the Reichstag then, with voting might,
Elects the Federal Convention the highest light,
The President to lead the land,
With solemn face and steady hand.
❓ Riddle Time
Deutsch:
Ich trete selten nur in Sicht,
wähle Deutschlands höchstes Licht.
Bundestag und Länder schicken her,
ihre Leute, bitte sehr.
Bin groß, doch nicht das Parlament,
mein Name wird nur kurz genannt.
Wer oder was bin ich?
English Translation:
I rarely come into view,
I elect Germany's highest 'light' (figure), it's true.
Bundestag and States send here,
Their people, please be clear.
I'm large, but not the Parliament you frequent,
My name is mentioned, but not often spent.
Who or what am I?
Solution/Auflösung: Die Bundesversammlung (The Federal Convention)
✨ Other Interesting Facts
- Composition: It consists of all members of the German Bundestag and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments. These can include well-known personalities from society, culture, or sports, not just politicians.
- Meeting Place: Traditionally, the Bundesversammlung convenes in the Reichstag building in Berlin.
- Word Formation (Wortbildung): The word is composed of Bund (referring to the Federal Republic) + Versammlung (assembly/gathering).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Bundesversammlung?
The correct article for Bundesversammlung is die. It is a feminine noun (die Versammlung - the assembly). Example: Die Bundesversammlung tritt zusammen. (The Federal Convention convenes.)