die
Wiederwahl
🗳️ What does 'die Wiederwahl' actually mean?
Die Wiederwahl (noun, feminine) refers to the process or the result where a person who already holds an office (e.g., president, mayor, board chairperson) is elected to the same position for another term.
So, it's the confirmation of a person in their office through a new election. The opposite would be die Abwahl (removal from office by vote) or Nichtwiederwahl (non-re-election).
- Context: Mostly used in political or organizational settings (clubs, companies).
- Meaning: Re-election to an office.
⚠️ There is only this one meaning and the article is always die.
The Grammar of 'Wiederwahl': Feminine and Declined
The word "Wiederwahl" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wiederwahl |
| Genitive | der | Wiederwahl |
| Dative | der | Wiederwahl |
| Accusative | die | Wiederwahl |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wiederwahlen |
| Genitive | der | Wiederwahlen |
| Dative | den | Wiederwahlen |
| Accusative | die | Wiederwahlen |
Example Sentences
- Der Kanzler strebt die Wiederwahl an.
(The chancellor is aiming for re-election.) - Nach seiner erfolgreichen Wiederwahl dankte der Bürgermeister den Wählern.
(After his successful re-election, the mayor thanked the voters.) - Die Satzung des Vereins lässt unbegrenzte Wiederwahlen des Vorstands zu.
(The club's statutes allow unlimited re-elections of the board.) - Die Opposition versucht, die Wiederwahl des Präsidenten zu verhindern.
(The opposition is trying to prevent the president's re-election.)
Usage in Conversation and Text 🗣️
The term die Wiederwahl is mainly used in formal contexts, especially in news reports, political discussions, and reports about elections or votes within organizations.
- Politics: Most commonly used when talking about the re-election of politicians (presidents, members of parliament, mayors). Example: Die Umfragen deuten auf eine knappe Wiederwahl hin. (The polls suggest a close re-election.)
- Clubs/Organizations: The term is also used for elections in clubs, associations, or companies (e.g., supervisory board, executive board). Example: Seine Wiederwahl als Vereinsvorsitzender war einstimmig. (His re-election as club chairman was unanimous.)
- Comparison: Similar is Amtszeitverlängerung (extension of term of office), but this doesn't necessarily require an election. Bestätigung im Amt (confirmation in office) is a more general expression.
How to Remember 'die Wiederwahl' 🤔
Article Mnemonic
Remember: An election (die Wahl - feminine) can lead to a re-election (die Wiederwahl). The grammatical gender stays the same! Think of the *she*er effort involved in winning again.
Meaning Mnemonic
Wieder (again) + Wahl (election/choice) = Election again for the same person. Simple as that!
Related Terms: Synonyms & Antonyms 🔄
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Erneute Wahl: (Renewed election) - Direct description.
- Amtszeitverlängerung (durch Wahl): (Term extension through election) - Emphasizes the continuation of the term.
- Bestätigung im Amt (durch Wahl): (Confirmation in office through election) - Highlights that the person continues to have trust.
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Abwahl: (Deselection, removal by vote) - Active removal from office through an election.
- Nichtwiederwahl: (Non-re-election) - Failing in the attempt to be re-elected.
- Amtszeitende (ohne Wiederwahl): (End of term without re-election) - The regular end of the term when re-election doesn't happen or isn't sought.
Potential Confusion
Be careful not to confuse "Wiederwahl" with "Neuwahl" (new election). A Neuwahl takes place, for instance, if an election was invalid or a parliament is dissolved, and it doesn't necessarily lead to the re-election of the same person.
A Little Joke about Re-election 😄
Fragt ein Politiker den anderen: "Was ist dein größter Wunsch für die nächste Legislaturperiode?"
Sagt der andere: "Meine Wiederwahl, damit ich mir überlegen kann, was mein größter Wunsch für die übernächste Legislaturperiode ist!"
Translation:
One politician asks another: "What's your biggest wish for the next legislative period?"
The other says: "My re-election, so I can think about what my biggest wish is for the legislative period after next!"
Poem about Re-election 📜
Die Amtszeit neigt sich nun dem End',
Man hofft erneut auf das Mandat, gewandt.
Plakate kleben, Reden klingen,
Wird die Wiederwahl Gutes bringen?
Das Volk entscheidet, Kreuz für Kreuz,
Ob alter Kurs sich neu erfreut.
Translation:
The term of office now nears its end,
One hopes again for the mandate, deftly sent.
Posters stick, speeches sound,
Will re-election good things bring around?
The people decide, cross by cross,
If the old course finds new applause.
Little Riddle about Re-election ❓
Ich bin das Ziel nach mancher Frist,
Wenn man im Amt geblieben ist.
Man kämpft um mich mit Wort und Tat,
Im Staat, Verein, im Aufsichtsrat.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I am the goal after some time has passed,
If one has remained in office, holding fast.
People fight for me with word and deed,
In the state, club, on the supervisory board indeed.
What am I?
Solution: die Wiederwahl (re-election)
Trivia & Word Origin 🤓
Word Composition
The word "Wiederwahl" is a compound noun, composed of:
- wieder: prefix indicating repetition or return.
- Wahl: noun meaning election or choice.
Together, the meaning is: a repeat election.
Trivia
The rules and possibilities for re-election vary greatly depending on the office and country. Sometimes there are term limits that prevent re-election after a certain number of periods (e.g., the US President).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wiederwahl?
The noun "Wiederwahl" is always feminine. The correct article is die. It refers to the re-election of a person to an office they already hold (e.g., die Wiederwahl des Bürgermeisters - the mayor's re-election).