die  Hauptversammlung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈhaʊptfɛɐ̯ˌzamlʊŋ/

📖 What exactly is a Hauptversammlung?

Die Hauptversammlung (often abbreviated as HV) refers to the supreme governing body of a public limited company (Aktiengesellschaft - AG), a partnership limited by shares (Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien - KGaA), or a European Company (Societas Europaea - SE). It is the meeting of all shareholders (Aktionärinnen und Aktionäre).

In associations (Vereine) or cooperatives (Genossenschaften), the equivalent is often called the Mitgliederversammlung (members' meeting) or Generalversammlung (general assembly), serving a similar function.

The Hauptversammlung makes fundamental decisions, such as:

• Election of the supervisory board (Aufsichtsrat)
• Approval of the actions of the management board (Vorstand) and supervisory board (Entlastung)
• Appropriation of net profit (Bilanzgewinn), e.g., paying dividends (Dividende)
• Capital measures (Kapitalmaßnahmen) like capital increases or decreases
• Amendments to the company's statutes (Satzungsänderungen)
• Dissolution of the company (Auflösung der Gesellschaft)

The word is always feminine: die Hauptversammlung.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: The Case of the Hauptversammlung

The noun "Hauptversammlung" is feminine. The article is die.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences 📝

1. Die Hauptversammlung findet einmal jährlich statt.
   (The annual general meeting takes place once a year.)
2. Der Vorstand berichtete auf der Hauptversammlung über das abgelaufene Geschäftsjahr.
   (The management board reported on the past financial year at the annual general meeting.)
3. Der Termin für die nächste Hauptversammlung wurde bekannt gegeben.
   (The date for the next annual general meeting was announced.)
4. Die Beschlüsse der Hauptversammlungen sind für das Unternehmen bindend.
   (The resolutions of the annual general meetings are binding for the company.)

🗣️ How to Use "Hauptversammlung"?

The term "Hauptversammlung" is almost exclusively used in the context of public limited companies (AGs), KGaAs, and SEs. It's a formal term from corporate law and business (Gesellschaftsrecht und Wirtschaft).

• Typical Context: Company reports (Unternehmensberichte), business news (Wirtschaftsnachrichten), invitations to shareholders (Einladungen an Aktionäre), legal documents.
• Formality: It is an official, legally defined term. In informal conversation about a company gathering, you would more likely use "Meeting", "Besprechung", or "Treffen".
• Distinction: Not to be confused with a Vorstandssitzung (meeting of the management board) or an Aufsichtsratssitzung (meeting of the supervisory board). The Hauptversammlung is the meeting of the owners (shareholders). For associations (Vereine), the corresponding body is usually called Mitgliederversammlung (members' meeting).

Germans often distinguish between the "ordentliche Hauptversammlung" (the regular annual meeting required by law) and the "außerordentliche Hauptversammlung" (an extraordinary general meeting held when necessary).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of a large gathering or assembly (Versammlung). Many words ending in -ung in German are feminine, requiring die. So, it's die Haupt-Versammlung.

Meaning Mnemonic: The Haupt-Versammlung is the main (or 'head' - 'Haupt' can mean head) event for shareholders, the main decision-making body of the owners. The 'heads' (shareholders as owners) get together here.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Although similar, these terms are often not legally interchangeable, especially in corporate law (Gesellschaftsrecht).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Aktionär den Vorstand auf der Hauptversammlung: "Sagen Sie mal, ist unsere Aktie eigentlich für die Ewigkeit gedacht?"
Antwortet der Vorstand: "Aber sicher doch! Der Kursverfall ist ja schon biblisch!"

Translation:
A shareholder asks the board member at the AGM: "Tell me, is our stock meant to last for eternity?"
The board member replies: "Absolutely! The share price collapse is already biblical!"

📜 Poem about the Hauptversammlung

Einmal im Jahr, so will's das Recht,
kommt zusammen, was besitzt, ganz echt.
Die Hauptversammlung, ein großer Saal,
Zahlen, Berichte, man hat die Wahl.
Dividende? Ja! Oder nein?
Der Aktionär stimmt ein. Vorstand und Rat steh'n Rede und Antwort,
an diesem wichtigen Geschäfts-Ort.

Translation:
Once a year, as the law demands,
Gather those who own the lands (of shares), quite grand.
The Annual General Meeting, a large hall's space,
Numbers, reports, decisions to face.
Dividend? Yes! Or no?
The shareholder's vote will show.
Board and council stand to reply,
At this important business site, way up high.

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin ein Treffen, meistens groß,
finde jährlich statt, ganz famos.
Aktionäre kommen hier zusammen,
um über Bilanzen und Pläne zu entflammen.
Entscheidungen fallen, wichtig und schwer,
für die AG, bitte sehr!

Wer oder was bin ich?

Translation:
I am a meeting, usually large,
Held once a year, taking charge.
Shareholders gather in this place,
To discuss finances and plans with grace.
Decisions are made, weighty and key,
For the PLC / Corp., you see!

Who or what am I?

...
...
...
Answer: Die Hauptversammlung (The Annual General Meeting / AGM)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word "Hauptversammlung" is a compound noun, made up of:

• Haupt-: Meaning 'main', 'chief', 'principal' here.
• Versammlung: Meaning 'assembly', 'gathering', 'meeting'.

So, it literally means the 'main assembly' of an organization (specifically, the public limited company).

Legal Significance (Rechtliche Bedeutung):

Holding a regular Annual General Meeting (ordentliche Hauptversammlung) is legally required for public limited companies (AGs) in Germany under the German Stock Corporation Act (Aktiengesetz - AktG). It must take place within the first eight months of the fiscal year.