die  Präsidentin

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/pʁɛziˈdɛntɪn/

👑 What does 'die Präsidentin' mean?

Die Präsidentin is the feminine form of 'der Präsident' (the president). It refers to a woman who holds the highest office in a state, an organization, a club, or a committee.

• Head of State: A woman who holds the highest executive or representative office of a country (e.g., die Bundespräsidentin of Germany, although only men have held this position so far, or the President of the USA, if a woman were elected).
• Head of an organization/club: A woman who chairs an organization, a company, a university, or a club (e.g., die Präsidentin des Sportvereins - the president of the sports club, die Universitätspräsidentin - the university president).

It is a feminine noun and always uses the article 'die' (the for feminine nouns).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Präsidentin' in Detail

The word 'die Präsidentin' is a feminine noun. It is declined accordingly.

Example Sentences

1. Die Präsidentin eröffnete die Sitzung.
   (The president opened the meeting.)
2. Das Büro der Präsidentin befindet sich im ersten Stock.
   (The president's office is on the first floor.)
3. Wir danken der Präsidentin für ihre Rede.
   (We thank the president for her speech.)
4. Alle begrüßten die neue Präsidentin herzlich.
   (Everyone warmly welcomed the new president.)
5. Mehrere Präsidentinnen trafen sich zur Konferenz.
   (Several presidents met for the conference.)

🗣️ How to use 'die Präsidentin'?

The term 'die Präsidentin' is used in formal and official contexts when referring to a woman in a corresponding leadership position.

• Politics: When the head of state of a republic is a woman.
• Business: As a term for the female head of a company or business association (less common, often 'Vorsitzende' - chairwoman is used here).
• Organizations & Clubs: Very common for the female head of clubs, foundations, universities, or other organizations.

Important Note: It is the direct feminine equivalent of 'der Präsident'. Using 'der Präsident' to refer to a woman is unusual and considered grammatically incorrect or not gender-inclusive.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Präsidentin'

Remembering the article 'die'

Feminine job titles in German often end in '-in' and are almost always feminine ('die'). Think: 'DIE' President-IN is a woman, so she gets the feminine article 'die'.

Remembering the meaning

Imagine a woman (die Frau) presiding over a meeting. She is 'die Präsidentin'. Link 'Präsidentin' to the English word 'president' but remember the '-in' signals the feminine form.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Präsidium: Refers to the board or the office of the president, not the person themselves (presidency, executive committee).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Journalist die Präsidentin: "Frau Präsidentin, was ist das Geheimnis Ihres Erfolgs?"
Sie antwortet: "Ganz einfach: Ich umgebe mich mit Leuten, die klüger sind als ich."
Fragt der Journalist: "Aber wo finden Sie solche Leute?"
Antwortet sie lächelnd: "Das ist das eigentliche Geheimnis!" 😉

--- Translation ---

A journalist asks the president: "Madam President, what is the secret to your success?"
She replies: "Quite simple: I surround myself with people who are smarter than me."
The journalist asks: "But where do you find such people?"
She replies with a smile: "That's the real secret!" 😉

📜 Poem about the Präsidentin

Mit klugem Wort und starker Hand,
führt die Präsidentin durch das Land.
Ob Staat, Verein, ob großes Haus,
sie lenkt die Wege, kennt sich aus.
Mit 'die' als Artikel, feminin,
steht sie an der Spitze, mittendrin.

--- Translation ---

With wise words and a strong hand,
the president leads through the land.
Be it state, club, or large house,
she directs the paths, knows her way around.
With 'die' as the article, feminine,
she stands at the top, right in the middle.

🕵️‍♀️ Little Riddle

Ich trage meist Hosenanzug oder Kostüm,
und leite oft ein wichtiges Gremium.
Mein männlicher Kollege ist bekannt,
doch ich bin die Frau an der Spitze im Land (oder Verein).
Mein Artikel ist 'die', ganz klar.

Wer bin ich?

--- Translation ---

I usually wear a pantsuit or a suit,
and often lead an important committee.
My male colleague is well-known,
but I am the woman at the top in the country (or club).
My article is 'die', that's clear.

Who am I?

Answer: Die Präsidentin (The female president)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Formation

The word 'Präsidentin' is derived (through a process called Movierung in German linguistics) from the masculine word 'Präsident'. The feminine form is created by adding the suffix '-in'. This is a very common pattern for forming feminine occupational or personal nouns in German (e.g., Lehrer -> Lehrerin (teacher), Arzt -> Ärztin (doctor)).

International Recognition

The term is internationally understood as it originates from the Latin 'praesidere' (to preside) and similar forms exist in many languages (e.g., English 'president', French 'présidente').