die
Oberbürgermeisterin
🏛️ What exactly is an Oberbürgermeisterin?
Die Oberbürgermeisterin is the female form of der Oberbürgermeister. It refers to the female head of the administration and representative of a (usually larger) city or *kreisfreie Stadt* (independent city) in Germany. Her role is roughly equivalent to that of a (Lord) Mayor in other countries, but specifically for a woman.
It's an office in *Kommunalpolitik* (local politics). The exact duties and powers can vary depending on the *Bundesland* (federal state).
🚨 Important: This word refers exclusively to a woman holding this office. For a man, you use der Oberbürgermeister.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Women → almost always feminine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
-in → mostly feminine.
All persons and professions ending in -in are feminine. Other -in nouns can be der/die/das.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: die Oberbürgermeisterin
The word die Oberbürgermeisterin is a feminine noun. Feminine nouns ending in -in that denote a female person are usually regular and take the article die.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Oberbürgermeisterin |
| Genitive | der | Oberbürgermeisterin |
| Dative | der | Oberbürgermeisterin |
| Accusative | die | Oberbürgermeisterin |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Oberbürgermeisterinnen |
| Genitive | der | Oberbürgermeisterinnen |
| Dative | den | Oberbürgermeisterinnen |
| Accusative | die | Oberbürgermeisterinnen |
Example Sentences
- Die neue Oberbürgermeisterin wurde gestern vereidigt.
(The new female Lord Mayor was sworn in yesterday.) - Wir haben einen Termin bei der Oberbürgermeisterin.
(We have an appointment with the female Lord Mayor.) - Die Aufgaben der Oberbürgermeisterin sind vielfältig.
(The duties of the female Lord Mayor are diverse.) - Alle Augen waren auf die Oberbürgermeisterin gerichtet.
(All eyes were on the female Lord Mayor.) - In der Konferenz sprachen mehrere Oberbürgermeisterinnen über Städtepartnerschaften.
(Several female Lord Mayors spoke about city partnerships at the conference.)
🗣️ How to use "Oberbürgermeisterin"?
The term die Oberbürgermeisterin is primarily used in formal and official contexts:
- In news and reports about local politics (*Kommunalpolitik*).
- In official documents and communications from the city administration (*Stadtverwaltung*).
- In discussions about the political leadership of a city.
- As a form of address or title for the female officeholder.
Colloquially, people might sometimes just say *die Bürgermeisterin* if the context makes it clear that the *Oberbürgermeisterin* of a large city is meant. However, the prefix *Ober-* emphasizes the higher rank compared to mayors of smaller towns or district mayors (*Bezirksbürgermeister*).
Potential confusion might arise with the simple *Bürgermeisterin*, who is often the head of smaller towns and municipalities.
🧠 Mnemonics for Oberbürgermeisterin
Article Mnemonic: The ending -in sounds like a female 'queen' in the city – and queens are female, hence die Oberbürgermeisterin.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of *Ober* as over or chief, *Bürger* as the citizens, *Meister* as the master or leader, and *-in* for female. So: The female chief master for the citizens (of a large city) = die Oberbürgermeisterin.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Stadtoberhaupt (weiblich): (Female head of the city) - A more general term.
- Erste Bürgermeisterin: (First Mayoress) - Can be synonymous depending on the city's constitution.
- (Colloquial) Chefin vom Rathaus: (Female boss of the city hall)
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Der Oberbürgermeister: The male counterpart.
Related Terms (Potential Confusion):
- Die Bürgermeisterin: (Female Mayor) - Head of a smaller town or municipality, or a deputy to the *Oberbürgermeister*.
- Die Landrätin: (Female District Administrator) - Head of a *Landkreis* (rural district).
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Bürger die Oberbürgermeisterin: "Stimmt es, dass Sie alles wissen?"
Antwortet sie: "Nein, aber ich weiß, wer es weiß!"
(A citizen asks the female Lord Mayor: "Is it true that you know everything?"
She replies: "No, but I know who does!")
📜 A Poem about the Office Holder
Im Rathaus sitzt, mit Plan und Sicht,
die Oberbürgermeisterin, hält Pflicht.
Für Straßen, Schulen, Stadtgeschick,
lenkt sie die Zukunft, Stück für Stück.
Mit starker Hand und klugem Wort,
an diesem wichtigen, hohen Ort.
(In the city hall she sits, with plan and sight,
the female Lord Mayor, holds her duty tight.
For roads, for schools, the city's fate,
she guides the future, small and great.
With steady hand and words so wise,
in this important, high office she lies.)
❓ Who am I? A Riddle
Ich trage keinen Krone, doch regiere eine Stadt,
bin weiblich und mein "Ober-" zeigt, wer die Leitung hat.
Im Rathaus ist mein Arbeitsplatz,
wer löst geschwind den Wortschatz?
(I wear no crown, yet rule a city's ground,
I'm female and my "Ober-" shows who's in charge around.
My workplace is the city hall's domain,
Who quickly solves this wordy game?)
(Solution: die Oberbürgermeisterin)
✨ Other Information
Word Composition
The word Oberbürgermeisterin is a compound word with a derivative suffix:
- Ober-: Prefix meaning 'upper', 'chief', 'head'.
- Bürger: Refers to the 'citizens' of the city.
- Meister: Historically means 'master', 'leader'.
- -in: Suffix used to form the feminine noun.
Together, it means: the highest-ranking female official who leads the citizens of a (large) city.
Trivia
The title *Oberbürgermeister(in)* is not used uniformly across all federal states or city-states in Germany. The city-states of Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen have different titles (e.g., *Regierende Bürgermeisterin* in Berlin, *Erste Bürgermeisterin* in Hamburg).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Oberbürgermeisterin?
The word "Oberbürgermeisterin" is feminine. The correct article is always die: die Oberbürgermeisterin (singular), die Oberbürgermeisterinnen (plural).