die
Grundgesetzänderung
📜 What does 'die Grundgesetzänderung' mean?
Die Grundgesetzänderung refers to an amendment or modification of the Grundgesetz (Basic Law) for the Federal Republic of Germany. The Grundgesetz is the German constitution. Changing it is a significant political and legal process.
Because the word ends in -ung, it is feminine and takes the article 'die'. There are no other articles or meanings for this specific word.
Note: 🚨 A Grundgesetzänderung is not undertaken lightly; it requires substantial parliamentary majorities (usually a two-thirds majority in both the Bundestag and Bundesrat).
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 under the Microscope: Die Grundgesetzänderung
'Grundgesetzänderung' is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Grundgesetzänderung |
| Genitive | der | Grundgesetzänderung |
| Dative | der | Grundgesetzänderung |
| Accusative | die | Grundgesetzänderung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Grundgesetzänderungen |
| Genitive | der | Grundgesetzänderungen |
| Dative | den | Grundgesetzänderungen |
| Accusative | die | Grundgesetzänderungen |
Example Sentences
- Die geplante Grundgesetzänderung wurde im Bundestag debattiert.
(The planned Basic Law amendment was debated in the Bundestag.) - Für eine Grundgesetzänderung sind besondere Mehrheiten erforderlich.
(Special majorities are required for a Basic Law amendment.) - Mehrere Grundgesetzänderungen betrafen die Finanzbeziehungen zwischen Bund und Ländern.
(Several Basic Law amendments affected the financial relations between the federal government and the states.)
🗣️ Usage in Context
The term 'die Grundgesetzänderung' is primarily used in political, legal, and journalistic contexts.
- Political Debates: When discussing reforms or adjustments to the constitution.
- Legislative Process: Describing the formal act of amending the constitution.
- News Reporting: Informing the public about proposed or enacted changes.
In general conversation, the word is less common as it is a specific technical term. Sometimes 'Verfassungsänderung' (constitutional amendment) is used synonymously, although 'Grundgesetzänderung' specifically refers to the German Basic Law.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Remembering the Article: Words ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine (die). Think: The Änderung (change) leads to die Grundgesetzänderung.
Remembering the Meaning: The word is a compound: Grundgesetz (Basic Law) + Änderung (amendment/change). So it literally means a change to the Basic Law. Quite logical!
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms for Grundgesetzänderung
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Verfassungsänderung: (Constitutional amendment) - More general term, can refer to constitutions of other countries or federal states (Bundesländer).
- Grundgesetznovelle / Novellierung des Grundgesetzes: (Basic Law novella / Novellization of the Basic Law) - Technical terms for an amendment or addition.
- Verfassungsreform: (Constitutional reform) - Often implies more comprehensive changes than a single amendment.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Beibehaltung des Grundgesetzes: (Retention of the Basic Law) - Making no changes.
- Verfassungskonstanz: (Constitutional constancy) - The state of being unchanged.
- Ablehnung einer Grundgesetzänderung: (Rejection of a Basic Law amendment) - The failure of the proposed amendment.
⚠️ Be cautious with similar terms like Gesetzesänderung (law amendment) – this refers to ordinary laws, not the Basic Law/constitution.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum dauert eine Grundgesetzänderung so lange?
Weil erst geprüft werden muss, ob die Änderung auch wirklich grundgesetzlich ist! 😉
(Why does a Basic Law amendment take so long?
Because first, they have to check if the amendment itself is actually constitutional!)
✍️ A Little Poem
Das Fundament, fest und klar,
doch Zeiten ändern sich, Jahr für Jahr.
Ein Wort wird neu, ein Satz gedreht,
die Grundgesetzänderung entsteht.
Mit Bedacht und großer Mehrheit nur,
ändert sich die Staatsstruktur.
(The foundation, firm and clear,
but times change, year after year.
A word renewed, a sentence turned,
the Basic Law amendment is learned.
With care and large majority's might,
the state's structure shifts its light.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Akt, hoch und von Rang,
verändere Deutschlands höchsten Strang.
Bundestag und Rat müssen zustimmen fein,
damit ich kann in Kraft sein.
Ich trage „die“ und ende auf „-ung“,
bin eine wichtige Wandlung.
Was bin ich?
... Die Grundgesetzänderung
(I am an act, high and of rank,
I change Germany's highest flank.
Bundestag and Council must agree just so,
that into force I can go.
I carry 'die' and end in '-ung',
I am an important transformation.)
(What am I?
... The Basic Law amendment / die Grundgesetzänderung)
🧩 Word Details and Trivia
Word Composition:
The word 'Grundgesetzänderung' is a compound noun, composed of:
- Grundgesetz: The noun meaning Basic Law (Germany's constitution), itself a compound of Grund (ground, basis) and Gesetz (law).
- Änderung: The noun meaning change or amendment (derived from the verb ändern - to change).
Trivia:
- The Grundgesetz has been amended over 60 times since its promulgation in 1949.
- Article 79 of the Basic Law regulates the conditions for a Grundgesetzänderung. Certain fundamental principles (e.g., human dignity in Art. 1 GG or the federal structure) are protected from amendment by the so-called 'eternity clause' (Art. 79 Para. 3 GG).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Grundgesetzänderung?
The word Grundgesetzänderung is feminine. The correct article is die. It refers to an amendment or modification of the German Basic Law (constitution).