die  Konstitution

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/kɔn.sti.tuˈt͡si̯oːn/

📖 What does "die Konstitution" mean?

The German word die Konstitution has several meanings, often related to a fundamental state or structure:

• Physical condition/constitution: The general physical and often mental condition of a person. Example: "Er hat eine robuste Konstitution und wird selten krank." (He has a robust constitution and rarely gets sick.)
• Political constitution / basic law: The set of principles and rules that determine the form of government and the rights and duties of citizens. In this sense, it is often a synonym for Verfassung, but is sometimes used as a more fundamental or historical term. Example: "Die Konstitution des Staates garantiert die Grundrechte." (The constitution of the state guarantees fundamental rights.)
• Fundamental nature / structure: The way something is built or composed. Example: "Die molekulare Konstitution des Stoffes wurde untersucht." (The molecular constitution/structure of the substance was investigated.)

🚨 Important: Although Verfassung is more common in the political context in modern German, Konstitution is also used, sometimes with a nuance implying a more fundamental, unchanging order.

🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: die Konstitution

The noun die Konstitution is feminine. Like most feminine nouns ending in -tion, it takes the article die.

📝 Example Sentences

1. (Körperlich) Trotz ihres hohen Alters hat sie noch eine erstaunlich gute Konstitution.
   (Physical) Despite her old age, she still has an astonishingly good constitution.
2. (Politisch) Die Ausarbeitung der neuen Konstitution dauerte mehrere Monate.
   (Political) Drafting the new constitution took several months.
3. (Struktur) Die chemische Konstitution bestimmt die Eigenschaften des Materials.
   (Structure) The chemical constitution/structure determines the properties of the material.

💡 How to use "die Konstitution"?

The usage of die Konstitution heavily depends on the context:

• In medical or everyday language: Here, it almost always refers to physical condition. One might speak of a gute (good), schlechte (bad), robuste (robust), or schwache (weak) Konstitution.
• In political or legal contexts: Here, it means the state constitution or basic law. Often, die Verfassung is used synonymously, though die Konstitution sometimes carries a slightly more fundamental or foundational connotation, or might be preferred in historical contexts.
• In scientific contexts (e.g., chemistry): Here, it describes the makeup or structure of something, like molecules.

Comparison with Verfassung: In the political sense, Konstitution and Verfassung are very similar. Verfassung is more common in modern German usage for a country's basic law (like the German Grundgesetz). However, Konstitution can also be used, especially when discussing fundamental principles or in international comparisons.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article mnemonic: Words ending in -tion in German are almost always feminine (die). Think: The Nation has a Constitution (die Nation hat eine Konstitution). Both are feminine!

Meaning mnemonic: Imagine a person named Consti: She has a strong physical Constitution (fit) and adheres to the political Constitution (laws) of her country. That's her fundamental constitution (structure).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Although Verfassung is often used synonymously (especially politically), there are subtle nuances. Konstitution can sound more fundamental.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum ging der Politiker ins Fitnessstudio?
Um an seiner Konstitution zu arbeiten – sowohl körperlich als auch politisch!

Why did the politician go to the gym?
To work on his constitution – both physically and politically!

📜 A Poem about Konstitution

Die Konstitution, stark und klar,
Hält den Körper, Jahr für Jahr.
Auch dem Staat gibt sie den Rahmen,
Trägt Gesetze, trägt die Namen
Von den Rechten, fest verbrieft,
Damit Freiheit tief und tief
In den Herzen Wurzeln schlägt,
Und die Ordnung niemand plägt.

The constitution, strong and clear,
Supports the body, year by year.
To the state, it gives the frame,
Carries laws, carries the name
Of the rights, firmly enshrined,
So that freedom, deep and deep
In the hearts takes root to keep,
And order no one undermines.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin dein innerer Bauplan, mal stark, mal schwach,
Ich bin des Staates höchstes Dach.
Ich bin feminin, mit Artikel "die",
Was bin ich, sag es schnell, pardie?

I am your inner blueprint, sometimes strong, sometimes weak,
I am the state's highest peak.
I am feminine, with the article "die",
What am I, tell me quickly, oh my?

Solution: die Konstitution

🌐 More Tidbits

The word Konstitution comes from the Latin word constitutio, meaning "establishment", "ordinance", or "constitution". It is composed of con- (together) and statuere (to set up, establish).

Das Wort Konstitution stammt vom lateinischen Wort constitutio ab, was "Festsetzung", "Einrichtung" oder "Verfassung" bedeutet. Es setzt sich zusammen aus con- (zusammen) und statuere (stellen, festsetzen).