die  Politikerin

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/poliˈtiːkɐɪn/

🗳️ What does 'die Politikerin' mean?

The word die Politikerin means female politician. It is the feminine form of the word der Politiker (male politician).

It describes a person of the female gender who holds a political office, runs for one, or is otherwise actively involved in political life, for example, in a party or a political movement.

There is only this one meaning for the word with the article 'die'. 🚨 Note that it refers exclusively to women.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: die Politikerin

The noun 'Politikerin' is feminine. Therefore, the corresponding definite article is 'die'. It follows the regular declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in '-in'.

Example Sentences

• Die Politikerin hielt eine Rede im Parlament. (The female politician gave a speech in parliament.)
• Die Entscheidung der Politikerin wurde kontrovers diskutiert. (The female politician's decision was discussed controversially.)
• Man dankte der Politikerin für ihren Einsatz. (The female politician was thanked for her commitment.)
• Viele Bürgerinnen und Bürger haben die Politikerin gewählt. (Many citizens elected the female politician.)
• Auf dem Parteitag trafen sich viele engagierte Politikerinnen. (Many committed female politicians met at the party conference.)

🗣️ Everyday Usage: When to say 'Politikerin'?

The term 'Politikerin' is used specifically to refer to a woman in political life. It is frequently found in:

• News and media reports about political events.
• Discussions about gender equality in politics.
• Introductions of female candidates during elections.
• Descriptions of women holding political office (e.g., *Ministerin* - female minister, *Abgeordnete* - female member of parliament, *Bürgermeisterin* - female mayor).

It is important to use the feminine form 'Politikerin' when talking about a woman to be accurate and respectful. Using the masculine form 'Politiker' for a woman is no longer common practice and is considered imprecise or even discriminatory (*generic masculine is often avoided here*).

🧠 Mnemonics for Politikerin

Article Mnemonic: Feminine job titles in German often end in '-in' and take the article 'die'. Think of: *Die Kanzlerin* (female chancellor), *die Lehrerin* (female teacher), *die Ärztin* (female doctor) – and therefore also die Politikerin.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word contains 'Politik' (politics). A Politikerin is a woman (indicated by the -in suffix) who is involved in politics.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Not every woman who expresses political opinions is automatically a 'Politikerin' in the professional sense. The term usually implies professional or at least highly committed activity in politics.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt eine Bürgerin die Politikerin: "Sagen Sie mal, ist Regieren eigentlich eine Kunst oder ein Handwerk?"
Die Politikerin überlegt kurz und antwortet: "Wenn es eine Kunst wäre, hätten wir sicher mehr Kritiker. Wenn es ein Handwerk wäre, gäbe es wohl bessere Ergebnisse."

Translation:
A female citizen asks the female politician: "Tell me, is governing actually an art or a craft?"
The politician thinks for a moment and replies: "If it were an art, we would certainly have more critics. If it were a craft, there would probably be better results."

📜 Poem about the Politikerin

Im Saale spricht mit klarer Stimme,
die Frau, die für die Bürger glimme.
Die Politikerin, mit Plan und Wort,
treibt die Debatten weiter fort.
Für Recht und Wandel steht sie ein,
so soll die Politik hier sein.

Translation:
In the hall speaks with a clear voice,
the woman who shines for the citizens.
The female politician, with plan and word,
drives the debates onward.
For justice and change she stands,
thus politics should be in these lands.

🤔 Who am I? A Riddle

Ich debattiere und ich lenke,
an das Wohl des Volkes denke.
Im Parlament ist mein Zuhaus,
ich bin weiblich, tagein, tagaus.
Gesetze schmieden, Reden schwingen,
dem Lande Fortschritt will ich bringen.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I debate and I steer,
thinking of the people's welfare, held so dear.
In parliament is my home,
I am female, wherever I roam.
Forging laws, delivering speeches with might,
I want to bring progress to the country's light.

Who am I?

Solution: die Politikerin (the female politician)

💡 More Interesting Facts

Word Composition: The word 'Politikerin' is derived from the word 'Politik' (politics) with the suffix '-er' (which is part of the masculine form 'Politiker') and the feminine suffix '-in'. The suffix '-in' is commonly used in German to form the feminine version of job titles or personal designations.

Trivia: The number of female politicians (*Politikerinnen*) in parliaments worldwide has increased in recent decades, but parity (equal representation of men and women) has not yet been achieved in most countries.