die  Nationalversammlung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/nat͡si̯oˈnaːlˌfɛɐ̯ˌzamlʊŋ/

🏛️ What does 'die Nationalversammlung' mean?

Die Nationalversammlung is a German political term meaning National Assembly. It refers to an assembly of elected representatives of a nation, often tasked with drafting a constitution or deciding on fundamental laws. It usually convenes during times of political upheaval or the founding of a state.

The term is frequently used in a historical context, for example:

• Die Frankfurter Nationalversammlung (Frankfurt National Assembly, 1848/49)
• Die Weimarer Nationalversammlung (Weimar National Assembly, 1919)
• The French Assemblée nationale (today and historically)

It is a feminine noun, hence always die Nationalversammlung.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: die Nationalversammlung

The noun 'Nationalversammlung' is feminine. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Die Nationalversammlung tagte in der Paulskirche.
   (The National Assembly met in the Paulskirche.)
2. Die Beschlüsse der Nationalversammlung waren wegweisend.
   (The decisions of the National Assembly were groundbreaking.)
3. Man gedachte der Nationalversammlung von 1919.
   (They commemorated the National Assembly of 1919.)
4. Der Präsident löste die Nationalversammlung auf.
   (The president dissolved the National Assembly.)
5. Historisch gab es mehrere bedeutende Nationalversammlungen in Europa.
   (Historically, there were several important National Assemblies in Europe.)

🌐 How is 'die Nationalversammlung' used?

'Die Nationalversammlung' is primarily used in political and historical discourse. It denotes a specific type of parliament or constituent assembly.

• Historical Context: Often related to revolutions, state formations, or constitution-making (e.g., „Die Weimarer Nationalversammlung verabschiedete die erste demokratische Verfassung Deutschlands.“ - The Weimar National Assembly adopted Germany's first democratic constitution.).
• Political Context: Also used for current parliaments in some countries (e.g., France: Assemblée nationale).
• Distinction: It's more specific than 'Parlament' (parliament) or 'Volksvertretung' (popular representation). The 'Bundestag' is the modern German parliament, not a 'Nationalversammlung' in the classic sense, although it has national responsibilities.

⚠️ Don't confuse it with simple meetings or conventions. The term implies a high state or constituent authority.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in "-ung" in German are almost always feminine. Think: The gathering (Versammlung) of the nation = die Nationalversammlung. It sounds like 'gathering', which feels like a collective 'she'.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the entire Nation coming together for a grand Assembly (Versammlung) to discuss important rules (like a constitution). That's the Nationalversammlung.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words:

• Bundesversammlung: In Germany, the body that elects the Federal President; has other meanings (parliament) in Austria and Switzerland. Not identical to Nationalversammlung.
• Volkskammer: The parliament of the GDR (East Germany).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Abgeordneter den anderen in der Kaffeepause der Nationalversammlung: "Sag mal, verstehst du eigentlich immer, worüber wir hier abstimmen?"
Antwortet der andere: "Nein, aber Hauptsache, wir sind uns einig uneinig!" 😄

(One representative asks another during the National Assembly's coffee break: "Tell me, do you actually always understand what we're voting on here?"
The other replies: "No, but the main thing is that we unanimously disagree!") 😄

📜 A Short Poem

Die Nationalversammlung tagt,
Ein Ruf nach Freiheit, unverzagt.
Gesetze schreiben, Zukunft bauen,
Dem Volk aufs Wort genau vertrauen.
In Hallen ernst, mit viel Debatte,
Für Grundrecht, Staat und ohne Hatte.
Ein historischer Moment, ganz klar,
So war es und so ist es wahr.

(The National Assembly convenes,
A call for freedom, undeterred it seems.
Writing laws, building the future's way,
Trusting the people's word each day.
In solemn halls, with much debate,
For basic rights, the state, and no hate.
A historic moment, crystal clear,
So it was and so it's true, held dear.)

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Treffen, groß und wichtig,
Vertreter handeln hier oft richtig.
Ich schaffe Regeln für das Land,
Bin oft aus Krisenzeiten bekannt.
Mein Artikel ist 'die', das ist fein,
Was kann ich wohl nur sein?

(I am a meeting, large and key,
Representatives often act through me.
I create rules for the nation's hand,
Often known from crises in the land.
My article is 'die', that is fine,
What could I possibly be in this line?)

Solution: die Nationalversammlung (the National Assembly)

🧩 Additional Information

Word Formation

The word 'Nationalversammlung' is a compound noun:

• National (adjective, from Nation) - relating to the nation, the people.
• Versammlung (noun) - an assembly, a gathering of people.

Together, it literally means the "Assembly of the Nation".

Trivia

Die Frankfurter Nationalversammlung of 1848 is often nicknamed the "Professorenparlament" (Professors' Parliament) because many of its members were academics.