die  Präsidentenwahl

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/pʁɛziˈdɛntn̩ˌvaːl/

🗳️ What exactly is a 'Präsidentenwahl'?

The German noun die Präsidentenwahl translates to 'presidential election'. It refers to the political process by which the head of state, the president (der Präsident / die Präsidentin), is elected in a republic.

It's a compound noun formed from Präsidenten (genitive plural of 'Präsident', meaning 'of the presidents' or 'president's') and Wahl (election). Since the base word 'Wahl' is feminine (die Wahl), the compound noun 'die Präsidentenwahl' is also feminine.

🚨 There is only one article for this word: die.

📜 Grammar Spotlight: Die Präsidentenwahl

The noun 'Präsidentenwahl' is feminine. Its definite article is 'die'. Here’s how it declines:

Example Sentences

• Die nächste Präsidentenwahl findet in vier Jahren statt. (The next presidential election will take place in four years.)
• Die Berichterstattung über die Präsidentenwahl war sehr intensiv. (The media coverage of the presidential election was very intense.)
• Das Ergebnis der Präsidentenwahl beeinflusst die internationale Politik. (The result of the presidential election influences international politics.)

📌 How to Use 'Präsidentenwahl'

The term Präsidentenwahl is used in political contexts to describe the election of the head of state in republics. The specific rules and procedures for a Präsidentenwahl can vary significantly from country to country (e.g., direct popular vote vs. election by an electoral college or a specific assembly like the Bundesversammlung in Germany).

It's important to distinguish it from other types of elections, such as:

• Parlamentswahlen (parliamentary elections)
• Kommunalwahlen (local/municipal elections)
• Landtagswahlen (state elections in Germany and Austria)

In Germany, one often speaks specifically of the Bundespräsidentenwahl, as the Federal President (Bundespräsident) is elected. Austria also holds a Bundespräsidentenwahl. In the USA, the Präsidentenwahl is a central political event.

🧠 Memory Aids for the Election

To remember the article 'die': The base word is die Wahl (the election). Elections often feel decisive, maybe even dramatic - think of 'Die Hard' decisions being made in 'die Wahl', making it 'die Präsidentenwahl'.

To remember the meaning: Präsidentenwahl sounds like 'president-and-wail' - perhaps people are wailing with anticipation (or despair!) during the presidential election count. It's the Wahl (election) for the Präsident.

↔️ Election Alternatives: Synonyms & Similar Terms

Similar Terms (Beware of confusion! ⚠️):

• Parlamentswahl: Election of the parliament, not the president.
• Kanzlerwahl: Election of the Chancellor (head of government in Germany), not the head of state.
• Referendum/Volksabstimmung: Vote on a specific issue, not for a person.

😂 A Political Jest

Deutsch: Frage: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einer Präsidentenwahl und einem Marathon? Antwort: Beim Marathon weiß man wenigstens vorher, wie lange er dauert!

English: Question: What's the difference between a presidential election and a marathon? Answer: At least with a marathon, you know beforehand how long it will last!

🎤 Rhymes for the Ballot Box

Deutsch:
Die Stimmzettel fliegen, die Spannung steigt,
Die Präsidentenwahl, die uns bewegt und zeigt,
Wer führt das Land, wer lenkt das Schiff?
Alle vier Jahre dieser wichtige Griff
Zur Urne, zur Entscheidung, zur Macht,
Hat man über die Kandidaten nachgedacht?
Es ist die Wahl, so will's das Gesetz,
Am Ende gibt's Applaus oder auch Geschwätz.

English Translation:
The ballots fly, the tension rises high,
The presidential election, that moves us and shows why,
Who leads the country, who steers the ship?
Every four years this important grip
On the ballot box, the decision, the might,
Have the candidates been considered right?
It's 'die Wahl', as the law dictates,
In the end, there's applause or just debates.

❓ Who or What Am I?

Deutsch:
Ich komme alle paar Jahre wieder,
entscheide über Führer und Glieder (des Staates).
Man wirft Zettel für mich ein,
um das höchste Amt zu verleih'n.

Was bin ich?

English:
I return every few years,
Deciding on leaders and state peers.
People cast ballots for my sake,
For the highest office to undertake.

What am I?
(Answer: die Präsidentenwahl / the presidential election)

💡 Trivia about the Election

Word Composition:

The word „Präsidentenwahl“ is a compound noun (Kompositum). It consists of:

• Präsidenten: Genitive plural of „Präsident“ (President). It indicates that it's about the election of the president(s) (or one president from several candidates).
• Wahl: The base word, meaning 'election', which determines the grammatical gender (feminine).

International Differences: The term is used for elections in various countries (e.g., USA, France, Austria), but the meaning and process can differ significantly. In Germany, the Federal President (Bundespräsident) is not directly elected by the people but by the Federal Convention (Bundesversammlung), which is why the term „Bundespräsidentenwahl“ is often used more specifically.