die  Republik

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁepuˈbliːk/

🏛️ What does "die Republik" mean?

Die Republik (noun, feminine) refers to a form of government where supreme power is held by the people or their elected representatives. Unlike a monarchy, a republic does not have a hereditary head of state (like a king or emperor), but usually a president who is elected for a specific term.

Characteristics of a Republik often include:

• An elected head of state.
• Sovereignty (at least theoretically) resides with the people.
• A constitution regulating the state order.

The term derives from the Latin res publica, meaning “public affair” or “state”.

⚠️ Important: A Republik is not automatically a democracy, although many modern republics are democratic. There are also authoritarian or dictatorial republics.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar in Detail: Die Republik

The noun „Republik“ is feminine. Therefore, the correct article is „die“.

Declension

Here's how 'die Republik' changes in the different grammatical cases (Fälle):

📝 Example Sentences

1. Deutschland ist eine föderale Republik.
   (Germany is a federal republic.)
2. Die Gründung der Weimarer Republik war ein wichtiger Schritt in der deutschen Geschichte.
   (The founding of the Weimar Republic was an important step in German history.)
3. Viele Länder der Welt haben sich für die Staatsform der Republik entschieden.
   (Many countries in the world have opted for the republic form of government.)
4. Die Verfassung der Fünften Französischen Republik wurde 1958 angenommen.
   (The constitution of the Fifth French Republic was adopted in 1958.)
5. In vielen Republiken wird der Präsident direkt vom Volk gewählt.
   (In many republics, the president is directly elected by the people.)

🗣️ Usage in Context

The term die Republik is primarily used in political and historical contexts.

• Politics & Constitutional Law: To denote the form of government (e.g., Bundesrepublik Deutschland - Federal Republic of Germany, Islamische Republik Iran - Islamic Republic of Iran).
• History: To name historical state entities (e.g., Römische Republik - Roman Republic, Weimarer Republik - Weimar Republic).
• General: Sometimes used metaphorically for a community or organization not hierarchically led by a single individual.

Distinctions:

• Demokratie vs. Republik: A Republik describes the absence of a monarch, while Demokratie (democracy) describes rule by the people. A republic can be democratic, but doesn't have to be.
• Staat vs. Republik: Staat (state) is the more general term for a political entity. Republik specifies the form of that entity.

Common collocations include: Bundesrepublik, Volksrepublik, Islamische Republik, die Erste/Zweite/... Republik (the First/Second/... Republic), eine Republik ausrufen (to proclaim a republic).

🧠 Memory Aids for "die Republik"

1. Article "die"

   Think of the Queen – she's absent in a republic. The German word for queen, "die Königin", is feminine. So remember: Where 'die' Queen is missing, 'die' Republik reigns! (Also: Many German nouns ending in "-ik" are feminine: die Musik, die Publik, die Politik, die Republik).

2. Meaning

   Imagine the PUBLIC coming together to elect their REpresentatives. RE-PUBLIC = The affair of the public/people. This relates to the German word 'die Republik'.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Related/Similar Words:

• Republikaner/Republikanerin: Republican - Supporter of a republican form of government or member of a republican party.
• Republikanisch: Republican (adjective) - Relating to a republic.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Wer kann mir eine berühmte Republik nennen?"
Fritzchen meldet sich: "Die Tschechische Republik!"
Lehrer: "Sehr gut! Und noch eine?"
Fritzchen: "Die Slowakische Republik!"
Lehrer: "Prima! Und kennst du auch eine, die nicht mehr existiert?"
Fritzchen: "Ja, die Tschechoslowakische Republik!"

Translation:
Teacher asks: "Who can name a famous republic?"
Little Fritz raises his hand: "The Czech Republic!"
Teacher: "Very good! And another one?"
Fritz: "The Slovak Republic!"
Teacher: "Excellent! And do you know one that no longer exists?"
Fritz: "Yes, the Czechoslovak Republic!"

✒️ Poem about the Republik

Kein König herrscht, kein Zepter schwer,
das Volk entscheidet – hin und her.
Die Republik, ein hohes Gut,
gibt Bürgern Stimme, Kraft und Mut.
Gewählte Köpfe führen an,
so lautet der gemeinsame Plan.
Ein Staat für alle, frei und gleich,
das ist das Ziel im Republikenreich.

Translation:
No king reigns, no heavy sceptre sways,
The people decide – in various ways.
The Republic, a cherished prize,
Gives citizens voice, strength in their eyes.
Elected leaders show the way,
That is the common plan today.
A state for all, both free and same,
That is the goal in the republic's name.

❓ Riddle

Ich habe keinen König und keine Queen,
doch eine Verfassung, die dient.
Mein Oberhaupt wird meist gewählt,
auf Zeit sein Amt ihm zugeteilt.
Von Rom bis Frankreich, alt und neu,
bin ich dem Volk oft treu.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I have no king and have no queen,
But a constitution, quite keen.
My head of state is often chosen,
For a limited time, their power's woven.
From Rome to France, both old and new,
To the people, I'm often true.

What am I?

Answer: die Republik (the Republic)

💡 Other Information

Etymology (Word Origin)

The German word "Republik" comes from the Latin phrase res publica. Res means "thing, matter, affair" and publica is the feminine form of publicus, meaning "public". Together, it means "the public affair" or "the state".

Famous Republics

• Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Federal Republic of Germany)
• Französische Republik (French Republic)
• Republik Österreich (Republic of Austria)
• Repubblica Italiana (Italian Republic)
• United States of America (USA - a federal republic)