Reference Dictionary

The German news words that keep coming back

The core vocabulary of German journalism — politics, economics, courts, society, and energy. Every term includes grammatical article, plural form, compound breakdown, and real example sentences.

Politik & Staat Politics

der Bundestag (pl. —)

B1 · Federal Parliament

Germany's federal parliament, the directly elected chamber in Berlin that passes federal law, approves the national budget, and elects the Federal Chancellor.

Literal breakdown: Bund (federation) + Tag (diet / assembly)

"Der Bundestag hat das neue Energiegesetz mit großer Mehrheit verabschiedet."

"The Bundestag passed the new energy law by a large majority."

der Bundesrat (pl. —)

B2 · Federal Council

The constitutional body through which the 16 German federal states (Bundesländer) participate in national legislation and EU policy affairs.

Literal breakdown: Bund (federation) + Rat (council)

"Der Gesetzentwurf muss noch den Bundesrat passieren."

"The bill must still pass through the Federal Council."

die Zerreißprobe (pl. Zerreißproben)

C1 · Severe Breaking Point

A severe endurance test or crisis that threatens to fracture a governing coalition, party alliance, or diplomatic negotiation.

Literal breakdown: zerreißen (to tear apart) + Probe (test / trial)

"Die Haushaltsverhandlungen wurden zur Zerreißprobe für das Bündnis."

"The budget negotiations became a severe breaking point for the alliance."

Wirtschaft & Finanzen Economy & Finance

der Haushalt (pl. Haushalte)

B1 · National Budget / Household

In political news, the federal or municipal government fiscal budget plan; in social contexts, a private household or domestic unit.

Literal breakdown: Haus (house) + Halt (holding / keeping)

"Das Finanzministerium plant Einsparungen im Bundeshaushalt."

"The Finance Ministry plans spending cuts in the federal budget."

die Schuldenbremse (pl. Schuldenbremsen)

B2 · Debt Brake

Germany's constitutional fiscal rule (Article 109 and 115 Basic Law) strictly capping annual structural federal borrowing at 0.35% of GDP.

Literal breakdown: Schulden (debts) + Bremse (brake)

"Ökonomen fordern eine Reform der verfassungsrechtlichen Schuldenbremse."

"Economists are calling for a reform of the constitutional debt brake."

Justiz & Recht Law & Courts

das Bundesverfassungsgericht

B2 · Federal Constitutional Court

Germany's supreme constitutional court in Karlsruhe, with sole authority to strike down federal legislation incompatible with the Basic Law (Grundgesetz).

Literal breakdown: Bund (federation) + Verfassung (constitution) + Gericht (court)

"Das Bundesverfassungsgericht erklärte das Gesetz für verfassungswidrig."

"The Federal Constitutional Court declared the statute unconstitutional."

das Urteil (pl. Urteile)

B1 · Court Ruling / Verdict

The formal binding legal decision or verdict delivered by a judge or judicial chamber concluding a legal proceeding.

"Das Urteil der Richter wird weitreichende Konsequenzen haben."

"The judges' ruling will have far-reaching consequences."

Gesellschaft & Arbeit Society & Labor

die Gewerkschaft (pl. Gewerkschaften)

B1 · Trade Union

An organized labor union (e.g. IG Metall, Verdi, GDL) negotiating collective wage agreements (Tarifverträge) and organizing strikes.

"Die Gewerkschaft kündigte bundesweite Warnstreiks im Verkehrssektor an."

"The trade union announced nationwide warning strikes in the transit sector."

Umwelt & Energie Climate & Energy

die Energiewende (pl. —)

B2 · Energy Transition

Germany's statutory policy of shifting national energy generation from coal, gas, and nuclear power to wind, solar, and hydrogen renewables.

Literal breakdown: Energie (energy) + Wende (turnaround / transition)

"Der Netzausbau gilt als entscheidender Baustein für das Gelingen der Energiewende."

"Grid expansion is considered a crucial building block for the success of the energy transition."

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