die
Weltmacht
🌍 What does 'die Weltmacht' mean?
Die Weltmacht (feminine noun) refers to a state that can exert global influence due to its military, economic, political, or cultural superiority. It's a nation with power and influence on an international level, capable of significantly shaping global events.
The term implies a high degree of sovereignty and capacity for action on the world stage. Weltmächte (world powers) play a central role in international relations and organizations.
Since the word only takes the article 'die', there are no different meanings based on the article.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-acht → almost always feminine.
Wisdom, power, rules → mostly feminine.
🧐 Grammar of 'die Weltmacht' in Detail
'Weltmacht' is a feminine noun. The plural is 'die Weltmächte'. Here is the declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Weltmacht |
| Genitive | der | Weltmacht |
| Dative | der | Weltmacht |
| Accusative | die | Weltmacht |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Weltmächte |
| Genitive | der | Weltmächte |
| Dative | den | Weltmächten |
| Accusative | die | Weltmächte |
Example Sentences
- Die USA gelten seit Jahrzehnten als Weltmacht.
(The USA have been considered a world power for decades.) - Der Aufstieg Chinas zur neuen Weltmacht verändert die globale Ordnung.
(China's rise as a new world power is changing the global order.) - Die Konferenz der Weltmächte soll den Frieden sichern.
(The conference of the world powers aims to secure peace.) - Der Einfluss der Weltmacht ist in vielen Regionen spürbar.
(The influence of the world power is noticeable in many regions.)
🗣️ How and when to use 'die Weltmacht'?
The term 'die Weltmacht' is primarily used in political, historical, and economic contexts. It describes a state with exceptional global influence.
- Context: International relations, historiography, political analysis, economic reports.
- Connotation: Can be neutrally descriptive, but also associated with ideas of dominance, responsibility, or hegemony. The term is often subject to debate (e.g., Who is a world power today?).
- Comparison: Similar terms are 'Großmacht' (major power, often with regional or more specific influence) and 'Supermacht' (superpower, even stronger, often global military and political influence, typically used in the context of the Cold War). 'Weltmacht' often lies between 'Großmacht' and 'Supermacht' in terms of strength, but is sometimes used synonymously.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Weltmacht'
Article Mnemonic: Think of 'die Macht' (the power). Power ('Macht') is feminine in German, hence 'die Weltmacht'. Remember 'SHE has the power over the world'.
Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: 'Welt' means 'world', and 'Macht' means 'power' or 'might'. So, 'Weltmacht' literally translates to 'world power'. Imagine a powerful entity ('Macht') spanning the 'Welt'.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms for Weltmacht
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Supermacht: Often stronger than a Weltmacht, especially militarily/politically (e.g., USA/USSR during the Cold War).
- Großmacht: (Major power) Has significant, but often not global or all-encompassing influence.
- Hegemonialmacht: (Hegemonic power) A power holding a dominant position, influencing or controlling other states.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Kleinstaat: (Small state) A state with small territory, population, and little international influence.
- Entwicklungsland: (Developing country) A country with a low level of economic development and often limited political influence.
- Regionalmacht: (Regional power) A state with significant influence only within its geographical region.
⚠️ Caution: The distinctions between these terms are not always clear-cut, and their usage can vary depending on the context.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Land das andere: "Bist du eine Weltmacht?"
Sagt das andere Land: "Ich arbeite daran. Im Moment bin ich eher eine... hält-die-Welt-an-Macht, wenn mein Internet ausfällt!"
Translation:
One country asks another: "Are you a world power?"
The other country says: "I'm working on it. Right now, I'm more of a... stop-the-world power when my internet goes down!" (Pun on Weltmacht vs. 'hält die Welt an' = stops the world)
📜 Poem about the Weltmacht
Die Weltmacht steht auf großer Bühne,
Ihr Einfluss reicht, wohin man schaue.
Mit starker Hand, oft kühler Mühne,
Gestaltet sie das Weltgebaue.
Mal Stütze, mal Bedrohung schwer,
Ihr Wort hat international Gewicht.
Von ihr hängt ab so vieles mehr,
Im Schatten und im hellen Licht.
Translation:
The world power stands on a grand stage,
Its influence reaches wherever one looks.
With a strong hand, often cool effort,
It shapes the world's structure.
Sometimes support, sometimes a heavy threat,
Its word carries international weight.
So much more depends on it,
In shadow and in bright light.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich habe Einfluss fern und nah,
Bin auf der Weltkarte ganz groß da.
Politik und Wirtschaft lenk' ich gern,
Man sieht von weitem meinen Stern.
Wer oder was bin ich?
... Die Weltmacht
Translation:
I have influence far and near,
I'm shown quite large on the world map here.
Politics and economy I like to steer,
My star is seen from far, it's clear.
Who or what am I?
... The world power (die Weltmacht)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition:
'Weltmacht' is a compound noun, composed of:
- Welt: Referring to the globe, the Earth, the international system.
- Macht: Referring to influence, power, might, authority.
Thus, the combination literally describes 'power on a world level' or 'global power'.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Weltmacht?
The noun 'Weltmacht' is feminine. The correct article is always die: die Weltmacht (singular), die Weltmächte (plural).