mayor
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mayor
The head of the administration of a city or municipality. He or she is usually elected by the citizens and represents the municipality externally.
Der Bürgermeister hat das neue Stadtfest offiziell eröffnet.
The mayor officially opened the new town festival.
The word is made up of 'Bürger' (citizen) and 'Meister' (master). So it literally describes the 'master of the citizens', that is, the head of a municipality or city.
Der Bürgermeister ist für die Verwaltung der Stadt verantwortlich.
The mayor is responsible for the administration of the city.
Common verbs used with 'Bürgermeister' (mayor) are 'wählen' (to elect), 'werden' (to become), and 'sein' (to be). In official contexts, the mayor often 'eröffnet' (opens) or 'begrüßt' (welcomes) events.
Die Bürger haben einen neuen Bürgermeister gewählt.
The citizens elected a new mayor.
When addressing a mayor directly, you use the formula 'Herr Bürgermeister' (Mr. Mayor) or 'Frau Bürgermeisterin' (Madam Mayor), often followed by the surname.
Herr Bürgermeister, ich habe eine Frage zur neuen Parkordnung.
Mr. Mayor, I have a question about the new parking regulations.
municipal council / council member
'der Bürgermeister' and 'der Gemeinderat' both belong to the politics of a city, town, or municipality. The mayor is one individual person and leads or represents the municipality. The municipal council is usually an elected body, meaning a group of people who decide on local issues. The word can also mean an individual person from this council. Learners may confuse the words because both can be elected and both influence decisions in the municipality. In practical terms: the mayor is the head of the administration, while the municipal council makes decisions as a council.
Der Bürgermeister eröffnet am Samstag das neue Jugendzentrum.
The mayor is opening the new youth center on Saturday.
Der Gemeinderat hat lange über den neuen Radweg diskutiert.
The municipal council discussed the new bike path for a long time.