die
Regierung
🏛️ What does "die Regierung" mean?
Die Regierung (noun, feminine) refers to the supreme executive body of a state or a constituent state. It is responsible for the management and administration of public affairs and usually consists of a head of government (e.g., Kanzler (Chancellor), Premierminister (Prime Minister)) and ministers (Minister).
In a broader sense, "Regierung" can also refer to the manner in which a state is run (Regierungsform - form of government) or the term of office of a particular government.
- Main meaning: The collective body that conducts state affairs (e.g., die Bundesregierung - the federal government).
- Secondary meaning: The act of governing itself.
🚨 The word always takes the article die.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
📜 Grammar in Detail: Die Regierung
The noun "Regierung" is feminine. Therefore, the correct article is always "die".
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Regierung |
| Genitive | der | Regierung |
| Dative | der | Regierung |
| Accusative | die | Regierung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Regierungen |
| Genitive | der | Regierungen |
| Dative | den | Regierungen |
| Accusative | die | Regierungen |
Example Sentences
- Die Regierung hat neue Gesetze beschlossen. (The government has passed new laws.)
- Die Maßnahmen der Regierung wurden kritisiert. (The government's measures were criticized.)
- Man vertraut der Regierung nicht mehr. (People no longer trust the government.)
- Die Opposition fordert die Regierung zum Handeln auf. (The opposition calls on the government to act.)
- In Europa gibt es viele verschiedene Regierungen. (There are many different governments in Europe.)
🗣️ How to use "die Regierung"?
"Die Regierung" is mainly used in political and governmental contexts.
- Political debates: When discussing political decisions, laws, or the composition of the cabinet ("Die Regierung plant Steuererhöhungen." - The government is planning tax increases.).
- News and media: In reports on political events ("Die Regierung gab eine Pressekonferenz." - The government gave a press conference.).
- Administration and bureaucracy: In connection with state institutions and their actions.
- General conversation: Also in everyday life when talking about politics ("Was hältst du von der aktuellen Regierung?" - What do you think of the current government?).
Distinction:
💡 Mnemonics for "die Regierung"
For the article 'die': Think of words like "die Administration" or "die Organisation" - many abstract concepts, especially those ending in '-ung' like Regierung, are feminine in German. So, it's die Regierung.
For the meaning: Imagine the government officials having regular meetings to guide the country. This leads you to Regierung.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar meaning)
- Kabinett: Cabinet - Often used synonymously for the group of ministers.
- Staatsführung: State leadership - Refers to the leadership of the state, often synonymous.
- Exekutive: Executive - The technical term for the executive branch, headed by the government.
- Administration (less common): Administration - More common in the Anglo-American context for government/administration.
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Opposition: Opposition - The political parties not involved in the government, which monitor/criticize it.
- Parlament (as a controlling body): Parliament - Although part of the state, it stands opposite the government (separation of powers).
- Anarchie: Anarchy - A state of lawlessness, the absence of government.
- Bevölkerung / Volk (in some contexts): Population / People - The governed as opposed to the governors.
Potentially Confusing Words
- Regime: Often has negative connotations, referring to a form of rule, usually an authoritarian or undemocratic government. While a regime *is* a government, using the word *Regierung* is more neutral.
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt ein Bürger den Politiker: "Ist es wahr, dass die Regierung plant, eine Steuer auf Dummheit einzuführen?" Antwortet der Politiker: "Absoluter Unsinn! Wie sollten wir denn das Geld dafür wieder eintreiben?"
EN: A citizen asks a politician: "Is it true that the government plans to introduce a tax on stupidity?" The politician replies: "Absolute nonsense! How would we ever collect the money for it?"
📜 A Short Poem
DE:
Die Regierung lenkt das Land,
Hält die Zügel fest in der Hand.
Mit Plan und Gesetz, mal laut, mal leise,
Bestimmt sie des Staates Reise.
Mal gelobt, mal kritisiert,
Ihr Wirken wird stets analysiert.
EN:
The government steers the land,
Holds the reins firmly in hand.
With plan and law, sometimes loud, sometimes quiet,
It determines the state's journey and diet.
Sometimes praised, sometimes criticized,
Its actions are always analyzed.
🧩 Little Riddle
DE:
Ich leite den Staat, doch bin kein König allein,
Ich mache Gesetze, doch bin kein Schreiberling fein.
Ich bestehe aus Ministern und einem Chef,
Wer bin ich, wer führt das große Geschäft?
Lösung: Die Regierung
EN:
I lead the state, but am no king alone,
I make laws, but am not a scribe finely known.
I consist of ministers and a chief,
Who am I, leading the great state business, in brief?
Solution: The Government (Die Regierung)
✨ Other Interesting Information
Word Formation: The word "Regierung" is formed by adding the suffix "-ung" to the verb "regieren" (to govern, to rule). This suffix often creates feminine nouns denoting a process, state, or result. Many German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine.
International terms: In many languages, the word for government derives from the Latin "gubernare" (to steer, to direct), e.g., English "government", French "gouvernement". The German "regieren" comes from the Latin "regere" (to set straight, to guide, to rule).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Regierung?
The noun "Regierung" is feminine. The correct article is always die: die Regierung.