die  Protestkundgebung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/pʁoˈtɛstkʊntˌɡeːbʊŋ/

🗣️ What exactly is a Protestkundgebung?

A Protestkundgebung is a public gathering of people who collectively express their protest or disapproval of a specific issue, decision, or development. It's a form of expressing opinion and engaging politically or socially.

The word is feminine, so the article is die: die Protestkundgebung.

It's a compound noun made up of Protest (protest) and Kundgebung (rally, public meeting to make something known).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Protestkundgebung

The noun „Protestkundgebung“ is feminine. Remember: nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

• Die Protestkundgebung gegen die neuen Gesetze zog Tausende an.
  (The protest rally against the new laws attracted thousands.)
• Während der Protestkundgebung hielten mehrere Redner Ansprachen.
  (During the protest rally, several speakers gave speeches.)
• Die Polizei sicherte die angemeldete Protestkundgebung ab.
  (The police secured the registered protest rally.)
• Die Organisatoren riefen zu friedlichen Protestkundgebungen auf.
  (The organizers called for peaceful protest rallies.)

📣 Usage in Context

The term Protestkundgebung is primarily used in political, social, or societal contexts.

• Typical Use Cases: Reporting on demonstrations, calls for protests, discussions about civil rights and freedom of speech.
• Context: Often occurs in relation to controversial topics, political decisions, or social grievances. It can be officially permitted or spontaneous.
• Comparison: Similar to „Demonstration“, though „Protestkundgebung“ often emphasizes the aspect of an organized gathering with speeches. A „Versammlung“ (gathering, assembly) is more general and doesn't necessarily have a protest character. A „Kundgebung“ can also express approval (e.g., Wahlkundgebung - election rally).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article: Many German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (like 'die Meinung' - opinion, 'die Versammlung' - meeting). Think of the 'ung' sound perhaps like a gong announcing something important, typically done by 'her' -> die Kundgebung -> die Protestkundgebung.

Remembering the Meaning: Break it down: Protest (same meaning) + Kundgebung (think 'kund' = known/public, 'gebung' = giving/making -> making something known publicly). So, it's about making a protest publicly known -> a protest rally.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar, but not identical words:

• Kundgebung: A public gathering to express opinions, but can also be for support or information (e.g., Wahlkundgebung - election rally).
• Versammlung: A general term for a meeting or assembly, doesn't have to be political or protest-related.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Demonstranten immer Schilder mit zur Protestkundgebung?
(Why do demonstrators always bring signs to a protest rally?)

Damit sie zeigen können, dass sie nicht nur zum Spaß da sind, sondern auch Zeichen setzen wollen!
(So they can show they aren't just there for fun, but also want to 'set signs' / 'make a statement'! - It's a pun: 'Zeichen setzen' means 'to make a statement' or 'send a signal', but literally 'to set signs'.)

📜 A Short Poem

Die Menge ruft, die Fahnen weh'n,
(The crowd shouts, the flags wave,)
Auf Plätzen kann man sie oft seh'n.
(In squares, you can often see them.)
Mit Schildern laut und klarer Stimm',
(With loud signs and clear voices,)
Die Protestkundgebung nimmt Beginn.
(The protest rally begins.)
Für Rechte, Freiheit, bess're Welt,
(For rights, freedom, a better world,)
Ein Bild, das oft die Nachricht erhellt.
(An image that often brightens the news.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Treffen, laut und groß,
(I am a meeting, loud and large,)
Man äußert Ärger, gnadenlos.
(People express anger, relentlessly.)
Mit Plakaten, Rufen, oft im Chor,
(With placards, shouts, often in chorus,)
Trägt man die Meinung deutlich vor.
(Opinions are presented clearly.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?
... Eine Protestkundgebung / A protest rally

🧩 Word Components: Die Protestkundgebung

The word „Protestkundgebung“ is a compound noun (ein Kompositum), composed of:

• Der Protest: (From Latin 'protestari' = to testify publicly, to object) - An expression of objection or disapproval.
• Die Kundgebung: (From 'kundtun' = to make known, announce) - A public event where opinions or demands are made known.

Together, it describes a public event where objection is made known.