die
Kandidatur
🗳️ What does "die Kandidatur" mean?
The noun die Kandidatur (feminine) describes the process or state of applying for or being nominated for an office, position, award, or election. It's the official application or nomination as a Kandidat (male candidate) or Kandidatin (female candidate).
- Application for an office/position: When someone officially declares their availability for a specific role (e.g., Bürgermeister (mayor), Präsidentin (female president), Vorstandsmitglied (board member)).
- Nomination: The state of having been put forward as a candidate by a party or group.
- Application for an award/scholarship: Applying for an honour or funding.
⚠️ Important: A Kandidatur is often a formal act that follows specific rules (e.g., submitting documents, meeting requirements).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ur/-ür → mostly feminine.
Caution: -eur nouns are usually masculine (e.g. der Ingenieur).
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Kandidatur
"Kandidatur" is a feminine noun. The article is die. The ending "-ur" is typical for feminine nouns in German.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kandidatur |
| Genitive | der | Kandidatur |
| Dative | der | Kandidatur |
| Accusative | die | Kandidatur |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kandidaturen |
| Genitive | der | Kandidaturen |
| Dative | den | Kandidaturen |
| Accusative | die | Kandidaturen |
Example Sentences
- Er zog seine Kandidatur überraschend zurück.
(He surprisingly withdrew his candidacy.) - Die Partei unterstützte ihre Kandidatur für das Bürgermeisteramt.
(The party supported her candidacy for the mayor's office.) - Nach reiflicher Überlegung gab sie ihre Kandidatur bekannt.
(After careful consideration, she announced her candidacy.) - Mehrere Kandidaturen wurden für den Literaturpreis eingereicht.
(Several candidacies/applications were submitted for the literature prize.)
🗣️ How to use "Kandidatur"?
"Kandidatur" is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in:
- Politics: Kandidatur for a political office (president, representative, mayor).
- Professional life: Kandidatur for a leadership position, a board seat, or another significant role in an organization (less common for regular jobs, where "Bewerbung" is more usual).
- Awards & Prizes: Kandidatur for a Nobel Prize, Oscar, scientific award, etc.
- Elections & Committees: Kandidatur for the works council (Betriebsrat), parents' council (Elternbeirat), etc.
Typical Collocations:
- eine Kandidatur ankündigen / bekannt geben (to announce a candidacy)
- eine Kandidatur zurückziehen / aufgeben (to withdraw / give up a candidacy)
- eine Kandidatur unterstützen / befürworten (to support / endorse a candidacy)
- eine Kandidatur einreichen (to submit a candidacy/application)
- seine/ihre Kandidatur für etwas (his/her candidacy for something)
Difference from "Bewerbung": While "Bewerbung" is the more general term for applying for a job, university place, etc., "Kandidatur" refers more specifically to applying for an (often elected) office, a prominent position, or an award. A Kandidatur often implies competition or an election.
💡 Mnemonics for Kandidatur
Article Mnemonic: Feminine nouns often end in "-ur" (die Zensur, die Partitur, die Natur...). Think: "She's running for office, that's die Procedur (procedure) for her Kandidatur."
Meaning Mnemonic: A Kandidat (candidate) runs for election – their official application to do so is the Kandidatur. It's the formal step to becoming a "Kandidat".
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Bewerbung: (Application) More general, but sometimes used synonymously, especially for high-level positions.
- Aufstellung: (Nomination, list position) Especially in a political context (being put forward by a party).
- Nominierung / Nomination: (Nomination) Proposal or designation for an office or award.
- Anwartschaft: (Expectancy, prospective right) Right or prospect of obtaining something (e.g., an office).
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Rückzug: (Withdrawal) Taking back the candidacy.
- Verzicht: (Waiver, renunciation) Voluntarily giving up the possibility to run.
- Ablehnung: (Rejection) Non-acceptance of the candidacy (e.g., by a party or voters).
- Ausschluss: (Exclusion) Formal prevention from participating.
Related Terms:
- Kandidat/Kandidatin: (Candidate - male/female) The person who is running.
- kandidieren: (to run for office, to apply) The verb.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Bleistift seine Kandidatur zurückgezogen?
Er hatte einfach keine Spitze mehr für den Wahlkampf! 😉
(Why did the pencil withdraw its candidacy?
It just didn't have the point/lead for the campaign anymore! - "Spitze" means point/tip but also top/greatness)
📜 Poem about Candidacy
Die Würfel fallen, die Wahl steht an,
man reicht sie ein, die Kandidatur dann.
Mit Hoffnung, Plan und festem Schritt,
nimmt man am Wettbewerbe mit.
Die Stimme zählt, das Ziel ist klar,
wird man gewählt? Ach, wunderbar!
(The dice are cast, the election's near,
One submits it then, the candidacy clear.
With hope, a plan, and steady pace,
One joins the competition, takes one's place.
The vote does count, the goal defined,
Will one be chosen? Oh, how kind!)
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Schritt, oft sehr formell,
für Amt und Preis, da brauchst du mich schnell.
Ein Kandidat zeigt damit sein Gesicht,
bevor die Wahl das Urteil spricht.
Was bin ich?
(I am a step, often quite formal,
For office and prize, you need me, it's normal.
A candidate shows their face through me,
Before the election brings its decree.
What am I?)
Solution: die Kandidatur (the candidacy)
🌐 Other Information
Word Origin: The word "Kandidatur" derives from the Latin word candidatus. In ancient Rome, applicants for public office wore a particularly whitened toga (toga candida) to symbolize their purity and suitability. "Candidus" means "shining white", "pure", "honest". The suffix "-ur" forms the abstract noun from it.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kandidatur?
The word "Kandidatur" is a feminine noun. The correct article is always die: die Kandidatur.