die  Europawahl

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɔʏʁopaˈvaːl/

🇪🇺 What does *die Europawahl* mean?

Die Europawahl (feminine, plural: die Europawahlen) refers to the election held every five years in which citizens of the member states of the European Union (EU) elect the members of the European Parliament. It is a direct, universal, free, and secret ballot.

The word is a compound of Europa (Europe) and Wahl (election). Since Wahl is feminine (*die Wahl*), Europawahl is also feminine.

📊 Grammar Corner: Declining *die Europawahl*

The noun „Europawahl“ is feminine.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die nächste Europawahl findet in vier Jahren statt. (The next European election takes place in four years.)
2. Die Wahlbeteiligung bei der letzten Europawahl war erfreulich hoch. (The voter turnout at the last European election was pleasingly high.)
3. Viele politische Diskussionen drehen sich um die Ergebnisse der Europawahl. (Many political discussions revolve around the results of the European election.)
4. Die Vorbereitungen für die Europawahl laufen auf Hochtouren. (Preparations for the European election are in full swing.)

🗣️ Using *die Europawahl* in Context

The term die Europawahl is used specifically in the context of politics and the European Union. It describes the democratic process for determining the members of the European Parliament.

• Context: Politics, news, elections, EU institutions.
• Usage: In discussions about EU politics, reporting on elections, campaign materials.
• Differentiation: Not to be confused with national elections (e.g., die Bundestagswahl in Germany) or regional state elections (Landtagswahlen). Each type of election has its specific name.

🧠 Mnemonics for *die Europawahl*

Article Mnemonic: The word *Wahl* (election) is feminine (*die Wahl*). Therefore, *die* Europawahl is also feminine. Think of other feminine decision-related words: *die* Stimme (the vote/voice), *die* Entscheidung (the decision).

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine all of Europe (Europa) going to the polls (*Wahl*) to choose the EU Parliament – that's *die Europawahl*.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Note: There are no direct antonyms in the sense of 'non-European election', but the terms listed above denote other types of elections or political processes.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Politiker den anderen: "Was ist der Unterschied zwischen der Europawahl und Lotto spielen?"
Antwortet der andere: "Beim Lotto hat man wenigstens eine kleine Chance zu gewinnen!" 😉

Translation: One politician asks another: "What's the difference between the European election and playing the lottery?"
The other replies: "With the lottery, you at least have a small chance of winning!" 😉

📜 A Poem about the Election

Alle fünf Jahre, das ist klar,
wählt Europa, wunderbar.
Das Parlament, es wird bestellt,
bei der Europawahl in uns'rer Welt.
Mit Stimmzettel und mit Bedacht,
wird Europas Zukunft neu gemacht.

Translation:
Every five years, that is clear,
Europe votes, it's wonderful.
The parliament, it is appointed,
at the European election in our world.
With ballot paper and with care,
Europe's future is remade anew.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bringe Bürger vieler Länder,
Zur Urne, nicht nur die Verwalter.
Alle fünf Jahre ist mein Termin,
Für das Parlament in Brüssel und Straßburg drin.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I bring citizens of many countries,
To the ballot box, not just administrators.
Every five years is my date,
For the parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg within.

Who am I?

Solution: die Europawahl (the European election)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition:

• Europa: The continent or the political entity of the European Union.
• Wahl: The act of voting or an event where voting takes place (election).

Trivia:

• The first direct elections to the European Parliament took place in 1979.
• The European election is one of the largest transnational elections in the world.