die  Generalversammlung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡeneʁaːlfɛɐ̯ˈzamlʊŋ/

What does "die Generalversammlung" mean? 🧐

Die Generalversammlung (often abbreviated as GV) is the highest decision-making body of an organization, such as an association (Verein), a public limited company (Aktiengesellschaft or AG), or a cooperative (Genossenschaft). It refers to a meeting of all members or shareholders to make important decisions, receive reports, and conduct elections.

Typically, it takes place annually (Jahreshauptversammlung - annual general meeting). It serves to exercise membership or shareholder rights.

Since "Versammlung" (assembly, meeting) is feminine in German, the article is consistently die.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of Generalversammlung in Detail

The word "Generalversammlung" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always "die". It's a compound noun formed from "general" (general) and "die Versammlung" (the meeting/assembly).

Declension:

Examples:

• Die nächste Generalversammlung findet im Juni statt.
  (The next general assembly will take place in June.)
• Der Vorstand wurde auf der letzten Generalversammlung entlastet.
  (The board was discharged at the last general assembly.)
• Alle Mitglieder sind zur Generalversammlung eingeladen.
  (All members are invited to the general assembly.)
• Wir müssen die Tagesordnung für die Generalversammlung vorbereiten.
  (We need to prepare the agenda for the general assembly.)

Context and Usage 🗣️

"Die Generalversammlung" is mainly used in formal contexts, especially in the fields of:

• Companies: Particularly public limited companies (AGs), where it's often called Hauptversammlung (annual general meeting, AGM). Here, the shareholders (Aktionäre) make decisions.
• Associations: The central body for decision-making by the members (Mitglieder), often also called Mitgliederversammlung.
• Cooperatives: Similar to associations and companies, here the cooperative members (Genossen) decide.
• International Organizations: E.g., the United Nations General Assembly (Generalversammlung der Vereinten Nationen).

In common parlance, "Versammlung" or "Treffen" (meeting) are more common for less formal gatherings.

⚠️ Do not confuse it with a simple "Besprechung" or "Meeting", which are often more informal and involve a smaller group of participants.

Tips for Remembering "die Generalversammlung" 🧠

Article Mnemonic: Remember "die Versammlung" (the meeting). A meeting (Versammlung) is feminine in German, even with "General" in front. The most important meeting is die Generalversammlung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a General calling an assembly (Versammlung) of all troops to give important orders. That's the General-Versammlung – the supreme body.

Synonyms & Antonyms 🔄

A Little Joke 😄

Frage: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einer Generalversammlung und einer Kaffeepause?

Antwort: Bei der Kaffeepause werden manchmal Entscheidungen getroffen.

(Question: What's the difference between a general assembly and a coffee break? Answer: Sometimes decisions get made during the coffee break.)

Poem about the Assembly 📜

Einmal im Jahr, so ist's der Brauch,
ruft die Generalversammlung auch.
Berichte, Zahlen, Wahlen steh'n an,
die Mitglieder sind alle Mann für Mann (und Frau für Frau) dran.
Es wird diskutiert, gestimmt, beraten,
über des Vereins künftige Taten.
Die Führung wird gewählt, der Kurs bestimmt,
bevor der Vorsitzende die Sitzung beschließt, geschwind.

(Once a year, as is the custom,
the general assembly also calls.
Reports, numbers, elections are due,
the members are all involved, through and through.
There's discussion, voting, deliberation,
about the association's future operation.
Leadership's elected, the course is set,
before the chair closes the meeting yet.)

Who or What Am I? 🤔

Ich bin das höchste Treffen, groß und breit,
in Verein und AG, zu bestimmter Zeit.
Mitglieder oder Aktionäre kommen her,
um zu entscheiden, das ist nicht schwer.
Man stimmt ab über Vorstand und Plan,
einmal im Jahr zieht man Bilanz sodann.

Was bin ich?

(I am the highest meeting, large and wide,
in associations and companies, at a specific tide.
Members or shareholders gather near,
to make decisions, it's quite clear.
Votes are cast on board and strategy,
once a year, reviewing the company's decree.

What am I?
... Die Generalversammlung / The General Assembly)

Trivia & Word Structure 🤓

Word Composition:

The word is a compound noun made of:

• General-: Derived from Latin "generalis" (general). Here it means 'universal', 'main', or 'valid for all members/parts'.
• Versammlung: The gathering of a group of people (assembly, meeting).

Together, they signify a general meeting concerning everyone involved.

Trivia:

The United Nations General Assembly (Generalversammlung der Vereinten Nationen) is one of the six principal organs of the UN and the only one in which all 193 member states have equal representation.