die  Kandidatin

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/kandiˈdaːtɪn/

📖 What does "die Kandidatin" mean?

Die Kandidatin is the feminine form of "der Kandidat". It refers to a woman who is applying for or has been nominated for an office, position, prize, or exam.

• A person running for election (e.g., for political office).
• An applicant for a job.
• An examinee taking an exam.
• A contender for a prize or award.

It is a feminine noun and always uses the article "die".

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "Kandidatin" in Detail

"Die Kandidatin" is a feminine noun and follows the weak n-declension for feminine nouns (most end in -in). This means its form barely changes in the singular, except for the article.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Kandidatin hielt eine überzeugende Rede. (The candidate held a convincing speech. - Nominative Singular)
2. Die Chancen der Kandidatin werden hoch eingeschätzt. (The candidate's chances are rated highly. - Genitive Singular)
3. Wir drücken der Kandidatin die Daumen für die Prüfung. (We're keeping our fingers crossed for the candidate for the exam. - Dative Singular)
4. Hast du die Kandidatin schon interviewt? (Have you interviewed the candidate yet? - Accusative Singular)
5. Alle Kandidatinnen waren sehr qualifiziert. (All candidates were very qualified. - Nominative Plural)
6. Die Lebensläufe der Kandidatinnen liegen vor. (The résumés of the candidates are available. - Genitive Plural)
7. Der Ausschuss dankte den Kandidatinnen für ihre Teilnahme. (The committee thanked the candidates for their participation. - Dative Plural)
8. Wir haben die besten Kandidatinnen ausgewählt. (We have selected the best candidates. - Accusative Plural)

🗣️ How to use "die Kandidatin"?

"Die Kandidatin" is used in various contexts, always referring to a female person who is applying or nominated:

• Politics: A woman running for public office. Example: "Die Bürgermeisterkandidatin stellt ihr Programm vor." (The mayoral candidate presents her program.)
• Professional Life: An applicant for a job. Example: "Wir haben drei interessante Kandidatinnen zum Gespräch eingeladen." (We invited three interesting candidates for an interview.)
• Education/Exams: A participant in an exam or selection process. Example: "Die Kandidatin für das Stipendium muss noch ein Essay schreiben." (The candidate for the scholarship still needs to write an essay.)
• Competitions/Awards: A contender for a prize or award. Example: "Sie ist eine vielversprechende Kandidatin für den Literaturpreis." (She is a promising candidate for the literature prize.)

The word emphasizes the person's role in the selection or application process.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Kandidatin"

Article Mnemonic

Feminine nouns in German often end in -in, like Königin (queen), Lehrerin (female teacher), and Kandidatin. These almost always take the article die. Think: The ending '-in' sounds a bit like 'she' is 'die'.

Meaning Mnemonic

Imagine a candidate who is a woman. She did ('die') put her name in the hat. She is 'die Kandidatin'.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful: "Interessentin" (interested female party) is similar but only means someone shows interest, not necessarily that she has formally applied or is running.

😂 A little joke

Fragt der Personaler die Kandidatin: "Was sind Ihre Schwächen?"
Antwortet sie: "Ehrlichkeit."
Personaler: "Ich glaube nicht, dass das eine Schwäche ist."
Kandidatin: "Ist mir doch egal, was Sie glauben!" 😄

Translation:
The HR manager asks the candidate: "What are your weaknesses?"
She replies: "Honesty."
HR manager: "I don't think that's a weakness."
Candidate: "I don't care what you think!" 😄

📜 A Poem about the Kandidatin

Die Kandidatin, klug und fein,
stellt sich dem Wettbewerbe rein.
Mit Plan und Wort, mit Mut und Kraft,
hat sie das Ziel vor Augen schafft.
Ob Amt, ob Job, ob Prüfung schwer,
sie gibt ihr Bestes, bitte sehr!
Das "-in" am Schluss, feminin,
zeigt klar: Hier steht 'ne Siegerin!

Translation:
The candidate, smart and fine,
enters the competition, so divine.
With plan and word, with courage, might,
she keeps her goal within her sight.
Be it office, job, or test so tough,
she gives her best, it is enough!
The "-in" ending, feminine you see,
shows clearly: here stands a victory!

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin weiblich und bewerbe mich,
um einen Job, ein Amt, für dich.
Ich steh zur Wahl, mach Prüfung mit,
wer bin ich? Sag es, Schritt für Schritt!

I am female and I apply,
for a job, an office, reaching high.
I run for election, take tests with wit,
who am I? Tell me, bit by bit!

Solution: die Kandidatin (the female candidate)

ℹ️ Additional Info

Word Origin

The word "Kandidatin" is the feminine derivative of "Kandidat". This comes from the Latin candidatus, meaning "clothed in white". In ancient Rome, applicants for public office wore a white toga (toga candida) to symbolize their purity and suitability.

Gender-Inclusive Language

Explicitly mentioning "Kandidatinnen" alongside "Kandidaten" is an important part of gender-inclusive language (gendergerechte Sprache) in German to make women visible.