How is Germany governed, and who may vote in which election? This lesson explains the basics in simple, neutral language and teaches the fixed noun-verb combinations you will meet in every text about politics.
| German | Meaning |
|---|---|
| die Demokratie, -n | democracy |
| das Grundgesetz | Basic Law (Germany's constitution) |
| die Verfassung, -en | constitution |
| das Grundrecht, -e | fundamental right |
| die Meinungsfreiheit | freedom of expression |
| der Bundestag | Federal Parliament |
| der Bundesrat | Federal Council (representing the states) |
| die Bundesregierung, -en | federal government |
| der Bundeskanzler, - / die Bundeskanzlerin, -nen | federal chancellor |
| der Bundespräsident, -en / die Bundespräsidentin, -nen | federal president |
| das Bundesland, ¨-er | federal state |
| die Gemeinde, -n | municipality, local community |
| die Wahl, -en | election; choice |
| wählen | to vote, elect; to choose |
| die Kommunalwahl, -en | local election |
| das Wahlrecht | right to vote |
| die Partei, -en | political party |
| der/die Abgeordnete, -n | member of parliament |
| das Gesetz, -e | law |
| beschließen (beschloss, beschlossen) | to pass, decide |
| die Gewaltenteilung | separation of powers |
| der Rechtsstaat | state based on the rule of law |
| die Staatsangehörigkeit, -en | citizenship, nationality |
| sich beteiligen (an + Dat.) | to take part (in) |
| geheim | secret |
In formal German, and especially in texts about politics, law and administration, many meanings are expressed by a noun + a fairly general verb. The noun carries the meaning, the verb just makes it work in the sentence. These combinations are fixed, so you need to learn the verb together with the noun: you treffen a decision, you stellen a question, but you üben criticism. Often there is a simpler verb with a similar meaning, which you can use when you speak.
| Noun-verb combination | Simple verb | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| eine Entscheidung treffen | entscheiden | to make a decision |
| in Kraft treten | gültig werden | to come into force |
| eine Frage stellen | fragen | to ask a question |
| an einer Wahl teilnehmen | wählen | to take part in an election |
| einen Antrag stellen | beantragen | to submit an application |
| Kritik üben | kritisieren | to criticise |
| eine Rolle spielen | wichtig sein | to play a role |
In a sentence, only the verb changes; the noun stays as it is and usually goes towards the end, like a separable prefix. Der Bundestag trifft heute eine Entscheidung. Das Grundgesetz trat 1949 in Kraft. Das Grundgesetz ist 1949 in Kraft getreten. In subordinate clauses the conjugated verb goes to the end after the noun: …, weil das Gesetz bald in Kraft tritt. Some combinations have a pair with an active and a passive feeling: etwas zur Verfügung stellen (to make something available) and zur Verfügung stehen (to be available); etwas zur Diskussion stellen and zur Diskussion stehen. Learn them as chunks, and you will understand official letters and news much faster.
Here are some more combinations that are useful in the integration course and in everyday life: Verantwortung übernehmen (to take responsibility), Einfluss nehmen (to exert influence), eine Lösung finden (to find a solution), einen Vorschlag machen (to make a suggestion), zur Wahl stehen (to be standing for election), in Frage kommen (to be possible, an option), Bescheid geben (to let someone know) and Rücksicht nehmen (to be considerate). When you read a text and don't understand a sentence, look for the noun first; it usually tells you what the sentence is about, and the verb only shows the tense and the person.
Tap the words in the right order.
Your city has an integration advisory council (Integrationsbeirat). Write an email to its office (80–100 words): introduce yourself, say why you are interested, ask when and where the next public meeting takes place, and ask whether anyone may attend.
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, mein Name ist Farhan Ahmed. Ich komme aus Bangladesch und wohne seit zwei Jahren in Leipzig. Im Integrationskurs haben wir über politische Beteiligung gesprochen, und dabei habe ich vom Integrationsbeirat unserer Stadt gehört. Ich möchte gern mehr über Ihre Arbeit erfahren, weil ich mich für meine Nachbarschaft engagieren möchte. Könnten Sie mir bitte mitteilen, wann und wo die nächste öffentliche Sitzung stattfindet? Darf jeder daran teilnehmen, oder muss man sich vorher anmelden? Vielen Dank im Voraus. Mit freundlichen Grüßen Farhan Ahmed
Germany is a parliamentary democracy and a federal state made up of 16 Bundesländer. The Grundgesetz, in force since 1949, sets out the fundamental rights and the rules of the state. Power is divided between the parliament (legislative), the government and administration (executive) and independent courts (judiciary). Many areas of daily life, such as schools and the police, are mainly the responsibility of the Länder, while towns and municipalities (Gemeinden) organise local matters like nurseries, local roads and waste collection.
The Bundestag is elected by German citizens, normally every four years. The Bundesrat is made up of members of the state governments. Citizens of other EU countries may vote in local elections and in elections to the European Parliament. Everyone, whatever their passport, can take part in public life: attend council meetings, join clubs and initiatives, or contact local advisory councils. Topics like these also appear in the Leben in Deutschland test, which many people take at the end of the integration course.
Related: Life in Germany practice questions · Integration course guide · German citizenship
