die  Untersuchungskommission

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʊntɐˈzʊxʊŋskɔmɪˈsi̯oːn/

What Does 'die Untersuchungskommission' Mean? 🕵️‍♀️

An Untersuchungskommission is a committee or commission of inquiry. It's a body appointed to investigate specific events, incidents, or potential wrongdoings. Typically, it comprises several members (like experts or politicians) tasked with gathering facts, questioning witnesses, and ultimately presenting a report with findings and often recommendations.

You often encounter them in a political context (e.g., parliamentary inquiry committees, *parlamentarische Untersuchungsausschüsse*), but they can also be established in other fields like business or science when complex matters need investigation.

The noun is feminine, so the article is always die: die Untersuchungskommission.

Grammar Deep Dive: Declining 'die Untersuchungskommission' 🔍

The noun „Untersuchungskommission“ is feminine. The definite article is „die“.

Example Sentences

1. Das Parlament setzte eine Untersuchungskommission ein, um die Affäre aufzuklären.
   (The parliament established a committee of inquiry to clarify the affair.)
2. Der Bericht der Untersuchungskommission wird nächste Woche erwartet.
   (The report of the committee of inquiry is expected next week.)
3. Man übergab der Untersuchungskommission alle relevanten Dokumente.
   (All relevant documents were handed over to the committee of inquiry.)
4. Die Opposition forderte, die Untersuchungskommission mit mehr Befugnissen auszustatten.
   (The opposition demanded that the committee of inquiry be equipped with more powers.)
5. In den letzten Jahren gab es mehrere Untersuchungskommissionen zu verschiedenen Themen.
   (In recent years, there have been several committees of inquiry on various topics.)

Using 'die Untersuchungskommission': Context is Key

The term „Untersuchungskommission“ is mainly used in formal, official language, especially in the fields of:

• Politics: *Parlamentarische Untersuchungsausschüsse (often abbreviated as PUA*) are a well-known form.
• Law and Justice: For investigating miscarriages of justice or misconduct.
• Administration: For clarifying malpractice or accidents within authorities or public institutions.
• Major Events: After disasters or serious accidents to determine the causes.

In everyday conversation, the word is rarely used unless discussing news or political events. Synonyms like „Ausschuss“ (committee) or „Gremium“ (panel, body) are more general and don't necessarily emphasize the investigative nature.

Handy Mnemonics for 'die Untersuchungskommission' 🧠

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in "-ion" in German are almost always feminine (feminin). Think of: die Nation, die Station, die Mission... and thus die Untersuchungskommission.

Meaning Mnemonic: Picture a commission of serious-looking people conducting an investigation (that's what Untersuchung means). Put them together: Investigation Commission -> Untersuchungskommission.

Synonyms & Antonyms for the Committee

Synonyms (Similar Meaning):

• Untersuchungsausschuss: Very similar, often used interchangeably, especially in parliamentary contexts (committee of inquiry).
• Gremium: A more general term for a panel or body with a specific task.
• Expertenkommission: Emphasizes that the members are experts (expert commission).
• Ermittlungsausschuss: Highlights the investigative aspect (investigation committee).

Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):

A direct antonym is difficult. One might think of concepts implying cover-up (Vertuschung) or inaction (Untätigkeit), but these aren't direct opposites in terms of vocabulary.

⚠️ Similar, but not identical terms:

• Komitee: Often smaller and less formal than a Kommission.
• Arbeitsgruppe: Usually focused on developing solutions or concepts (working group), not primarily on investigation.

A Little Joke on the Side 😂

Warum hat die Untersuchungskommission einen Taucher engagiert?

Um der Sache auf den Grund zu gehen!

---

Why did the committee of inquiry hire a diver?

To get to the bottom of things! (A German idiom meaning 'to investigate thoroughly', literally 'to get to the ground/bottom')

Poetic Justice: A Rhyme for the Commission 🎤

Ein Skandal, ein dunkler Fleck,
nichts bleibt unterm Deck.
Die Untersuchungskommission tritt an,
nimmt sich der Sache gründlich an.
Zeugen, Akten, Stück für Stück,
bringt sie die Wahrheit ans Licht zurück.
Mit Sorgfalt, Scharfsinn und Geduld,
klärt sie auf, wer trägt die Schuld.

---

A scandal, a dark spot,
nothing stays under the cover.
The committee of inquiry steps up,
tackles the matter thoroughly.
Witnesses, files, piece by piece,
it brings the truth back to light.
With care, acumen, and patience,
it clarifies who bears the guilt.

Who Am I? A Riddle 🤔

Ich werde oft vom Staat bestellt,
wenn irgendwo die Wahrheit fehlt.
Ich sammle Fakten, Tag und Nacht,
bis alles ist ans Licht gebracht.
Am Ende schreib ich einen Wälzer,
als Gruppe bin ich mehr als Einzer.

Wer bin ich? Antwort: Die Untersuchungskommission

---

I am often appointed by the state,
when somewhere the truth is missing.
I gather facts, day and night,
until everything is brought to light.
In the end, I write a tome,
as a group, I am more than just one.

Who am I?
Answer: The committee of inquiry (Die Untersuchungskommission)

More About 'die Untersuchungskommission' 🧐

Word Composition

The word „Untersuchungskommission“ is a compound noun (Kompositum), formed from:

• Die Untersuchung: Meaning investigation or inquiry, derived from the verb „untersuchen“ (to investigate, examine).
• Die Kommission: Meaning commission, from the Latin „commissio“ (task, assignment), referring to a group of appointed people.

Together, it literally means an 'appointed group for investigation'.

Trivia

In Germany, *parlamentarische Untersuchungsausschüsse* (parliamentary committees of inquiry) are an important tool for the legislative branch (Legislative) to control the executive branch (Exekutive). Their existence is enshrined in the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz, Article 44 GG).