die  Opposition

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɔpɔziˈt͡si̯oːn/

🗳️ What does "die Opposition" mean?

Die Opposition (noun, feminine) generally describes a contrast, resistance, or a dissenting stance.

The most common meanings are:

• Politics: The entirety of political parties or groups not involved in the government, who criticize its policies or propose alternatives. Example: Die Opposition forderte den Rücktritt des Ministers. (The opposition demanded the minister's resignation.)
• General: An attitude or action directed against something existing; resistance, contradiction. Example: Er stieß mit seinen Plänen auf starke Opposition in der Belegschaft. (He encountered strong opposition to his plans among the workforce.)
• Astronomy (rare): The position of two celestial bodies when, viewed from Earth, they are in opposite directions in the sky (especially the Sun and a planet).

⚠️ There is only the article die for this word because it ends in -tion, which typically indicates feminine nouns in German.

📚 Grammar of "die Opposition" in Detail

"Opposition" is a feminine noun. It ends in -tion, which usually points to the feminine gender.

Declension

Example Sentences

• Die Opposition kritisierte das neue Gesetz scharf.
  (The opposition sharply criticized the new law.)
• Im Parlament gibt es eine starke Opposition gegen die Regierungspläne.
  (In parliament, there is strong opposition to the government's plans.)
• Er befindet sich in Opposition zu den Meinungen seiner Kollegen.
  (He is in opposition to his colleagues' opinions.)
• Die verschiedenen Oppositionen innerhalb der Partei erschwerten eine Einigung.
  (The various oppositions/factions within the party made an agreement difficult. - Plural, rarely used in the political sense for multiple opposition groups)

🗣️ How to use "die Opposition"?

• In a political context: This is the most frequent use. It refers to the parties that are not part of the governing coalition. One speaks of the parlamentarische Opposition (parliamentary opposition) or the außerparlamentarische Opposition (extra-parliamentary opposition).
• Figuratively: It can also describe resistance or disagreement in other areas, e.g., in companies, clubs, or families. Here, it is often synonymous with Widerstand (resistance) or Gegnerschaft (adversity/antagonism).
• Comparison: Gegner (opponent) is more personal and often refers to individuals in a competition or conflict. Widerstand (resistance) can also be physical. Opposition emphasizes more the organized or principled antagonism, especially in the political or ideological sphere.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Opposition"

For the article "die": Words ending in -tion are almost always feminine (die). Think: The nation needs die Opposition.

For the meaning: Opposition sounds like "Opposite Position". They take an opposite stance to the government or the majority.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar-sounding but misleading words:

• Opportunity: This English word sounds somewhat similar but means 'Gelegenheit' or 'Chance' in German, a completely different concept.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Politiker den anderen: "Was ist der Unterschied zwischen der Regierung und der Opposition?"
Antwortet der andere: "Die Regierung hat die besseren Dienstwagen, die Opposition die besseren Argumente... manchmal." 😄

Translation:
One politician asks another: "What's the difference between the government and the opposition?"
The other replies: "The government has the better company cars, the opposition has the better arguments... sometimes." 😄

📜 Poem about the Opposition

Im Saale laut, die Stimmen klingen,
Die Macht will Neues heut erzwingen.
Doch still im Kreis, mit klarem Blick,
Sitzt sie, bereit zum Gegenstück.

Die Opposition, mit Wort und Plan,
Ficht für das Volk, zeigt Fehler an.
Sie mahnt, sie prüft, sie hält dagegen,
Auf politischen Wegen.

Translation:
In the hall aloud, the voices ring,
Power wants to force new things today.
But quiet in a circle, with a clear view,
It sits, ready for the counterpart.

The Opposition, with word and plan,
Fights for the people, points out flaws.
It warns, it checks, it opposes,
On political ways.

🧩 Who or what am I?

Ich sitze im Parlament, doch regiere nicht mit.
Ich kritisiere die Mächtigen, Schritt für Schritt.
Mein Ziel ist es, Alternativen aufzuzeigen klar.
Wer bin ich, feminin und oft streitbar?

Lösung: die Opposition

Translation:
I sit in parliament, but do not govern.
I criticize the powerful, step by step.
My goal is to clearly show alternatives.
Who am I, feminine and often contentious?

Answer: die Opposition (the opposition)

💡 Other Information

• Word Origin: The word comes from the Latin oppositio, meaning "setting against" (from opponere = to set against, oppose).
• Compounds: Common compound words are Oppositionspolitiker/in (opposition politician), Oppositionsführer/in (opposition leader), Oppositionsbank (opposition bench in parliament), Oppositionsrolle (role of the opposition).
• International: The term is used similarly in many languages internationally (e.g., English: opposition, French: opposition).