die  Kandidatenliste

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kandiˈdaːtənˌlɪstə/

🗳️ What does "die Kandidatenliste" mean?

Die Kandidatenliste is a feminine noun that refers to a list or register of people who are standing for an election, a position, a job, or a similar selection process.

It's a list featuring the names of the Kandidaten (candidates, both male and female).

Because the base word "Liste" (list) is feminine (die Liste), the compound word "Kandidatenliste" is also feminine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: Die Kandidatenliste

The word "Kandidatenliste" is a feminine noun. It is declined as follows:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Partei veröffentlichte ihre Kandidatenliste für die kommende Wahl.
   (The party published its list of candidates for the upcoming election.)
2. Wir haben die Kandidatenliste für die offene Stelle sorgfältig geprüft.
   (We carefully reviewed the list of candidates for the open position.)
3. Auf der Kandidatenliste standen viele bekannte Namen.
   (There were many well-known names on the list of candidates.)
4. Die Wähler können die gesamte Kandidatenliste einer Partei ankreuzen.
   (Voters can check the entire party list of candidates.)

🎯 How is "die Kandidatenliste" used?

The term "Kandidatenliste" is primarily used in two contexts:

• Politics & Elections: Here, it refers to the official list of candidates put forward by a party or electoral group for an election (e.g., for the Bundestag, state parliament, local council). The order on the list (Listenplatz) can be crucial.
• Professional Life & Organizations: In human resources (HR) or during internal elections (e.g., works council - Betriebsrat), it denotes a list of applicants or candidates for a specific position or office.

It's a formal term that clarifies who is up for selection. Avoid confusing it with a Teilnehmerliste (list of participants) or Mitgliederliste (membership list).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic

Think of "die Liste" – it's feminine! A Kandidatenliste is just a specific type of Liste, so it also takes die.

Meaning Mnemonic

Imagine a list of people saying "I can did it!" (candidate) hoping to get picked. That's the Kandidatenliste - the list of those who think they can do it.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential for Confusion):

• Teilnehmerliste: (List of participants) List of people attending an event.
• Mitgliederliste: (Membership list) Directory of members of an organization.
• Warteliste: (Waiting list) List of people waiting for something (e.g., a spot).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum war die Kandidatenliste beim Arzt?

Sie hatte zu viele unklare Posten!

(Why did the list of candidates go to the doctor?
Because it had too many unclear positions/posts!)

📜 Poem about the List

Die Wahl steht an, die Spannung steigt,
Wer wird gewählt, wer überzeugt?
Auf Papier, ganz fein und glatt,
Die Kandidatenliste zeigt's der Stadt.
Name für Name, schön in Reih',
Wer macht das Rennen? Wer ist dabei?

(The election's near, excitement's high,
Who will be chosen? Who will fly?
On paper, neat and smooth and white,
The list of candidates shows its might.
Name by name, in a neat row,
Who wins the race? Who's in the know?)

❓ Fun Riddle

Ich bin ein Blatt, doch ohne Baum,
Ich zeige Namen, Raum für Raum.
Für Wahl und Amt bin ich bereit,
Wer steht auf mir zur rechten Zeit?

(I am a sheet, but have no tree,
I show names for all to see.
For vote and office, I am key,
Who stands upon me, tell me?)

Solution: die Kandidatenliste

🧩 Word Building Blocks and Other Info

Word Composition:

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

• Kandidat: The candidate, the person applying or standing for election.
• -en-: A linking element (Fugen-S), often used with nouns ending in -at when they become part of a compound (thought of in plural here: list of the candidates).
• Liste: The list or register.

Trivia:

In many electoral systems (like Germany's proportional representation), Kandidatenlisten play a central role in allocating seats in parliament.