die  Koalition

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/koaliˈt͡si̯oːn/

🤝 What does 'die Koalition' mean?

Die Koalition (noun, feminine) refers to an alliance or union, usually of political parties, formed to create a joint government or to pursue common goals. It's typically a temporary association, often based on a Koalitionsvertrag (coalition agreement).

In a broader sense, it can also denote an alliance of other groups (e.g., states, organizations), but the political meaning is the most common.

🚨 Because the word ends in '-tion', like many such words in German, it is feminine (die).

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Koalition

The noun "Koalition" is feminine. The article is therefore die.

Declension of 'die Koalition'

Example Sentences

• Die Parteien verhandeln über eine neue Koalition. (The parties are negotiating a new coalition.)
• Die Stabilität der Koalition ist gefährdet. (The stability of the coalition is endangered.)
• Man stimmte der Koalition in vielen Punkten zu. (They agreed with the coalition on many points.)
• Nach langen Gesprächen bildeten sie die Koalition. (After long talks, they formed the coalition.)
• In der Geschichte gab es viele verschiedene Koalitionen. (Throughout history, there have been many different coalitions.)

🏛️ When to use 'Koalition'?

The term Koalition is predominantly used in a political context to describe the cooperation of two or more parties in a government.

• Forming a government: When no single party achieves an absolute majority, Koalitionen often need to be formed (e.g., *Ampelkoalition* - 'traffic light coalition', *Große Koalition* - 'grand coalition').
• International politics: Alliances of states, e.g., for military or political purposes, are sometimes referred to as a Koalition (e.g., *Koalition der Willigen* - 'coalition of the willing').
• Comparison with 'Bündnis' or 'Allianz': While *Bündnis* (alliance, pact) and *Allianz* (alliance) are more general terms for unions, *Koalition* is more specifically focused on political governing alliances or alliances for a specific purpose (*Zweckbündnis*). A *Koalition* is often more formal and time-limited than a general *Allianz*.

🧠 Mnemonics for Koalition

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in "-tion" in German are almost always feminine. Think of English words adopted into German like *die Nation*, *die Position*... and also die Koalition.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine political parties having a "coalition convention" to *convene* and form a government together. *Convention* sounds a bit like *Koalition* and involves coming together.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Note: Not every *Bündnis* is a *Koalition*. The term is mostly used for political governing alliances.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Politiker den anderen: "Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einer Koalition und einer Zwiebel?"
Antwortet der andere: "Wenn man eine Koalition zerlegt, weint keiner."

(Translation: One politician asks another: "What's the difference between a coalition and an onion?"
The other replies: "When you break up a coalition, nobody cries.")

📜 Poem about a Coalition

Zwei Parteien, fremd und doch vereint,
Ein Ziel vor Augen, wie es scheint.
Man schmiedet Pläne, Tag und Nacht,
Ein Pakt besiegelt, nun mit Macht.
Die Koalition, sie steht bereit,
Für eine neue, andre Zeit.
Ob's hält, das wird die Zukunft lehren,
Gemeinsam woll'n sie nun regieren.

(Translation: Two parties, strange yet united, / A goal in sight, as it seems ignited. / Plans are forged, day and night, / A pact sealed, now with might. / The coalition, it stands ready, / For a new, different time already. / If it lasts, the future will teach, / Together they now want to reach / ...and govern.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Bund, oft nach der Wahl geschlossen,
Von Partnern, die zuvor sich oft verdrossen.
Gemeinsam tragen wir die Regierungspein.
Wer oder was mag ich nur sein?

(Translation: I am a pact, often formed after the vote, / By partners who previously often smote / ...each other with displeasure. / Together we bear the government's pressure. / Who or what might I be?)

Solution: die Koalition

ℹ️ Other Information

• Word Origin: The word comes from the Latin coalitio, meaning "union" or "growing together" (from coalescere: to grow together).
• Famous Coalitions in Germany:
  • Große Koalition (GroKo): 'Grand Coalition' - alliance of the two largest parties (usually CDU/CSU and SPD).
  • Ampelkoalition: 'Traffic Light Coalition' - SPD (red), FDP (yellow), Greens (green).
  • Jamaika-Koalition: 'Jamaica Coalition' - CDU/CSU (black), FDP (yellow), Greens (green).
  • Rot-Grün: 'Red-Green' - SPD (red) and Greens (green).
• Koalitionsvertrag: The 'coalition agreement' - the document where coalition partners define their common goals and the distribution of ministries.