die
Staatengemeinschaft
🌍 What does 'die Staatengemeinschaft' mean?
Die Staatengemeinschaft refers to a community of sovereign states that are connected through treaties, common interests, or institutions. It often serves the purpose of cooperation in political, economic, or social areas.
One can think of organizations like the United Nations (UN) or the European Union (EU), but the term can also be used more generally to describe the entirety of the world's states or a specific group of cooperating states.
It is a feminine noun, so the article is always 'die'.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ft/ -schaft → almost always feminine.
All -schaft nouns are feminine, but not all -ft nouns are.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Staatengemeinschaft
The word 'Staatengemeinschaft' is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Staatengemeinschaft |
| Genitive | der | Staatengemeinschaft |
| Dative | der | Staatengemeinschaft |
| Accusative | die | Staatengemeinschaft |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Staatengemeinschaften |
| Genitive | der | Staatengemeinschaften |
| Dative | den | Staatengemeinschaften |
| Accusative | die | Staatengemeinschaften |
Example Sentences
- Die Staatengemeinschaft muss bei globalen Krisen zusammenarbeiten.
(The community of states must cooperate during global crises.) - Die Entscheidungen der Staatengemeinschaft werden oft in internationalen Gremien getroffen.
(The decisions of the community of states are often made in international bodies.) - Viele Probleme können nur von der Staatengemeinschaft gelöst werden.
(Many problems can only be solved by the community of states.) - Die UNO repräsentiert einen Großteil der Staatengemeinschaften weltweit.
(The UN represents a large part of the communities of states worldwide.)
🗣️ How to use 'Staatengemeinschaft'?
The term 'Staatengemeinschaft' is primarily used in political, legal, and journalistic contexts.
- It often describes the international community as a whole, especially concerning global challenges like climate change, peace, or human rights.
- It can also refer to specific associations of states, such as the EU or regional alliances.
- Compared to 'Staatenbund' (confederation), 'Staatengemeinschaft' is often less formally defined and emphasizes common identity or cooperation more. 'Völkergemeinschaft' (community of peoples/nations) is a very similar term, sometimes used synonymously, but placing stronger emphasis on the aspect of peoples.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Remembering the article: Think of die Gemeinschaft (the community). Nouns ending in '-schaft' are almost always feminine, thus 'die'. A Staatengemeinschaft is a type of Gemeinschaft -> die Staatengemeinschaft.
Remembering the meaning: Imagine many different Staaten (states, like puzzle pieces) forming a Gemeinschaft (community, a complete picture). They work together: Staaten + Gemeinschaft = Staatengemeinschaft (community of states).
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Völkergemeinschaft: Very similar, emphasizes the community of peoples/nations more.
- Internationale Gemeinschaft: Often used synonymously, global focus (international community).
- Weltgemeinschaft: Similar to Internationale Gemeinschaft (world community).
- Staatenbund: Refers to a loose association of states that remain sovereign (confederation), often more formal than Staatengemeinschaft.
- Bündnis: An alliance for a specific purpose (e.g., military alliance), narrower scope.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Nationalstaat: Emphasis on the sovereignty of a single state (nation-state).
- Isolationismus: Political strategy of isolating oneself from other states (isolationism).
- Anarchie (international): Absence of an overarching order or community between states (international anarchy).
⚠️ Beware of similar words:
- Bundesstaat: A constituent state within a federal state (e.g., California in the USA, Bavaria in Germany), not a community of sovereign states.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Diplomat den anderen: "Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einer Konferenz der Staatengemeinschaft und einem Kindergarten?"
Antwortet der andere: "Im Kindergarten gibt es wenigstens eine Aufsichtsperson!" 😉
Translation: One diplomat asks another: "What's the difference between a conference of the community of states and a kindergarten?"
The other replies: "In kindergarten, there's at least one supervisor!" 😉
📜 A Poem about Community
Aus vielen Ländern, fern und nah,
entsteht sie, ist für alle da.
Die Staatengemeinschaft, Hand in Hand,
knüpft fest ein globales Band.
Für Frieden, Recht und Wohlstand hier,
so hoffen und so wirken wir.
Translation:
From many countries, far and near,
it arises, is for everyone here.
The community of states, hand in hand,
tightly weaves a global band.
For peace, justice, and prosperity's sake,
thus we hope and efforts make.
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich bin kein einzelnes Land, doch Länder bilden mich.
Ich habe Regeln, doch kein eigenes Militär für sich.
Ich treffe mich in großen Sälen, um die Welt zu beraten.
Wer bin ich, gebildet aus vielen Staaten?
Solution: die Staatengemeinschaft
Translation:
I am not a single country, yet countries form me.
I have rules, but no military just for me.
I meet in large halls to advise the world.
Who am I, formed from many states unfurled?
Solution: the community of states (die Staatengemeinschaft)
✨ Other Interesting Info
Word Composition:
The word 'Staatengemeinschaft' is a compound noun, composed of:
- Staaten: Plural of 'der Staat' (state)
- -gemeinschaft: 'die Gemeinschaft' (community)
The linking element '-en-' connects the plural 'Staaten' with 'Gemeinschaft'. Since 'Gemeinschaft' is feminine (die), it determines the gender of the entire compound word.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Staatengemeinschaft?
The correct article for Staatengemeinschaft is die. So, it's die Staatengemeinschaft (feminine).