die  Gemeinde

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈmaɪndə/

📜 What does "die Gemeinde" mean?

The word die Gemeinde has several related meanings:

• Political/Administrative: The smallest administrative unit in Germany and other German-speaking countries, comparable to a municipality, borough, or local authority. It has a mayor (Bürgermeister) and a local council (Gemeinderat) and is responsible for local matters (e.g., schools, road construction, waste collection).
  Example: Die Gemeinde erhebt Steuern. (The municipality levies taxes.)
• Social: A group of people living together in one place and forming a community.
  Example: Die Dorfgemeinde feiert ein Fest. (The village community is celebrating a festival.)
• Religious: A community of believers, especially in a Christian context (congregation, parish).
  Example: Die Gemeinde trifft sich sonntags zum Gottesdienst. (The congregation meets for worship on Sundays.)

⚠️ Although the meanings differ, they all relate to some form of community or local entity. The context makes it clear which meaning is intended.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of "die Gemeinde"

Die Gemeinde is a feminine noun.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Application Examples

1. Unsere Gemeinde hat einen neuen Bürgermeister gewählt.
   (Our municipality has elected a new mayor.)
2. Die jüdische Gemeinde in Berlin ist sehr aktiv.
   (The Jewish community in Berlin is very active.)
3. Er fühlt sich in dieser Gemeinde sehr wohl.
   (He feels very comfortable in this community.)
4. Die Fusion der beiden Gemeinden wurde beschlossen.
   (The merger of the two municipalities was decided.)

🗣️ How to use "Gemeinde"?

The use of die Gemeinde strongly depends on the context:

• In a political-administrative context, it refers to the local authority as a legal entity: die Verwaltung der Gemeinde (the administration of the municipality), Steuern an die Gemeinde zahlen (pay taxes to the municipality), der Gemeinderat (the local council). Here it is often synonymous with Kommune.
• In a social context, it refers to the residents of a place or a group with common interests: die Dorfgemeinde (the village community), eine starke Gemeinde bilden (to form a strong community). Here it resembles Gemeinschaft, but often emphasizes the local aspect.
• In a religious context, it denotes the members of a church or religious community: die Kirchengemeinde (the church congregation), die Pfarrgemeinde (the parish), zur Gemeinde gehören (to belong to the congregation).

Distinctions:

• Gemeinschaft: Broader than Gemeinde, refers to any group with common bonds (e.g., Interessengemeinschaft - community of interests, Wohngemeinschaft - shared housing), not necessarily local or religious.
• Kommune: Often synonymous with the political Gemeinde, sometimes with a connotation of alternative lifestyles (e.g., Landkommune - rural commune).
• Pfarrei/Pfarrbezirk: Specifically the administrative district of a church congregation (often Catholic or Protestant).

🧠 Mnemonics

Mnemonic for the article (die):

Think of the word ending: words ending in -de are often feminine (like Kunde, Spende, Wunde). So, it's die Gemeinde.

Mnemonic for the meanings:

Imagine a main street (like Ge-main-de) running through a town. It connects the town hall (political Gemeinde), the church (religious Gemeinde), and the houses where the community lives (social Gemeinde).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Gemein: Adjective, means "common" or "shared", but also "mean" or "vulgar". Be careful with interpretation! Die Gemeinde derives from the "common/shared" sense.
• Gemeinschaft: Broader term for a group of people with shared interests or characteristics.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Bürgermeister den Pfarrer: "Sagen Sie mal, Herr Pfarrer, warum kommen sonntags eigentlich mehr Leute zu Ihnen in die Kirche als zu meiner Gemeinderatssitzung am Montag?"
Antwortet der Pfarrer: "Ganz einfach, Herr Bürgermeister. Ich rede vom Himmel, Sie von der nächsten Steuererhöhung!"

English Translation: The mayor asks the pastor: "Tell me, Pastor, why do more people actually come to your church on Sundays than to my local council meeting on Monday?"
The pastor replies: "Quite simple, Mr. Mayor. I talk about heaven, you talk about the next tax increase!"

✒️ Poem about Gemeinde

German:
Ob Stadt, ob Dorf, ob Glaubenshaus,
Die Gemeinde sieht lebendig aus.
Mal Rathaus mit viel Papier,
Mal Kirche, beten hier.
Ein Ort, wo Menschen sich verbinden,
Gemeinsam leben, Glück empfinden.

English Translation:
Be it city, village, or house of faith,
The Gemeinde looks full of life's wraith.
Sometimes town hall with papers tall,
Sometimes church, where prayers enthrall.
A place where people connect and find,
Living together, happiness enshrined.

🧩 Riddle

German:
Ich habe ein Rathaus, manchmal auch einen Turm.
Ich kümmere mich um Straßen und schütze vor dem Sturm (manchmal 😉).
Sonntags versammeln sich bei mir die Frommen,
und wer neu zuzieht, ist willkommen.

Wer oder was bin ich?
... Die Gemeinde

English Translation:
I have a town hall, sometimes a tower too.
I take care of streets and shield from storms (sometimes 😉), it's true.
On Sundays, the devout gather in my space,
and newcomers are welcomed to this place.

Who or what am I?
... Die Gemeinde (the municipality / community / congregation)

💡 Other Information

Word Origin: The word "Gemeinde" derives from the Old High German "gimeinida", meaning "community" or "fellowship". It is closely related to the adjective "gemein" (in the sense of "common" or "shared", not "mean").

Compound Words: There are many compound words (Komposita) with "Gemeinde", e.g.:

• Gemeinderat (local council)
• Gemeindehaus (community hall / parish hall)
• Gemeindesteuer (local tax)
• Gemeindemitglied (member of the community/congregation)
• Gemeindezentrum (community center)
• Kirchengemeinde (church congregation)
• Bundesgemeinde (federal municipality - a specific administrative term)