die  Ratsversammlung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʁaːtsfɛɐ̯ˌzamlʊŋ/

🏛️ What does die Ratsversammlung mean?

Die Ratsversammlung (feminine, article die) refers to a meeting or assembly of a council, usually in a political or administrative context. Typically, it's the body that makes decisions and consults within a city, municipality, or other organization.

There is only this one article, die, for the word because it's a compound noun where the last part, 'die Versammlung' (the assembly/meeting), is feminine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar in Detail: Die Ratsversammlung

The noun 'Ratsversammlung' is feminine.

Example Sentences

1. Die nächste Ratsversammlung findet am Dienstag statt.
   (The next council meeting takes place on Tuesday.)
2. Der Bürgermeister leitete die Ratsversammlung.
   (The mayor chaired the council meeting.)
3. Wichtige Entscheidungen werden in der Ratsversammlung getroffen.
   (Important decisions are made in the council meeting.)
4. Alle Protokolle der Ratsversammlungen sind öffentlich zugänglich.
   (All minutes of the council meetings are publicly accessible.)

🗣️ How is Ratsversammlung used?

The term Ratsversammlung is primarily used in the context of local politics and administration in German-speaking countries. It refers to the formal meeting of members of a city, municipal, or district council (e.g., Stadtrat, Gemeinderat).

• Context: Politics, administration, local government.
• Use: Often found in official announcements, minutes, news about local politics.
• Alternative Terms: Depending on the region or specific body, also Stadtratssitzung (city council meeting), Gemeinderatssitzung (municipal council meeting), Ratssitzung (council session), Gremiumssitzung (committee meeting). 'Ratsversammlung' is a rather general term.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in '-ung' in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of 'Versammlung' (assembly/meeting) ending in -ung. Since 'Ratsversammlung' ends the same way, it takes the article die.

Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: 'Rat' sounds like 'rat-' in 'ratify' (approve, like a council does) or simply means council/advice, and 'Versammlung' means assembly or meeting. So, Rat + Versammlung = council meeting.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Note: The exact term used can vary depending on the specific German state (Bundesland) and local regulations (Gemeindeordnung).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Politiker gerne einen Bleistift mit zur Ratsversammlung?

Damit sie wichtige Punkte unterstreichen können – und weniger wichtige wieder ausradieren! 😉

(Why do politicians like to take a pencil to the council meeting? So they can underline important points - and erase less important ones!)

✍️ Poem about the Ratsversammlung

Im Saale groß, bei Tisch und Stuhl,
beginnt das ernste Planspiel kühl.
Die Ratsversammlung, sie tagt,
man diskutiert, es wird geklagt.

Beschlüsse fassen, für Stadt und Land,
mit Mehrheit oft, Hand in Hand.
Debatten lang, die Köpfe rauchen,
die Bürger draußen auf Neues lauschen.

(In the large hall, at table and chair,
the serious planning game begins, cool and spare.
The council meeting, it convenes,
discussions arise, complaints it gleans.)

(Making decisions, for town and country bright,
often by majority, holding hands tight.
Long debates, the minds ignite,
the citizens outside listen for new light.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Treffen, oft im Rathaus drin,
wo Frauen und Männer beraten mit Sinn.
Für die Gemeinde wird hier entschieden,
manchmal in Streit, manchmal in Frieden.

Wie nennt man mich, mit Artikel 'die'?

(I am a meeting, often inside the town hall,
where women and men advise with sense for all.
For the community, decisions are made here,
sometimes in conflict, sometimes in peace, clear.

What am I called, with the article 'die'?)

Solution: Die Ratsversammlung

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word 'Ratsversammlung' is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:

• der Rat (genitive often 'des Rates'): Meaning here 'council', 'committee', 'board' (e.g., Stadtrat - city council) or also 'advice', 'counsel'.
• die Versammlung: Meaning 'assembly', 'meeting', 'gathering'.

The gender of the compound word is determined by the last word ('Grundwort'), which is 'die Versammlung', hence it is die Ratsversammlung.