civil right
Loading your saved state.
civil right
A fundamental right guaranteed by the state that every citizen is entitled to. Examples include the right to vote, freedom of expression, or freedom of assembly.
Das Recht zu wählen ist ein zentrales Bürgerrecht in einer Demokratie.
The right to vote is a central civil right in a democracy.
'Bürgerrecht' (civil right) is a compound word made up of 'Bürger' (citizen) and 'Recht' (right). The '-s-' in the middle is a linking s that connects the two parts. So it literally means 'the right of a citizen.'
Die Meinungsfreiheit ist ein wichtiges Bürgerrecht.
Freedom of expression is an important civil right.
Civil rights are often the subject of political discussions. Typical verbs are 'für Bürgerrechte kämpfen' (to fight for civil rights), 'Bürgerrechte einfordern' (to demand civil rights), or 'Bürgerrechte verletzen' (to violate civil rights).
Die Demonstranten kämpfen für die Einhaltung ihrer Bürgerrechte.
The demonstrators are fighting for their civil rights to be respected.
The word is very often used in the plural ('die Bürgerrechte' — civil rights) to refer to the full set of rights that a state guarantees its citizens.
Die Verfassung garantiert den Bürgern grundlegende Bürgerrechte.
The constitution guarantees citizens fundamental civil rights.
human right
'das Menschenrecht' and 'das Bürgerrecht' are both important rights of a person. They are easy to confuse because both have to do with freedom, protection, and politics. 'Menschenrecht' applies to all people, regardless of their citizenship. 'Bürgerrecht' applies mainly to the citizens of a state. This includes, for example, the right to vote. If a right belongs to every human being, you say 'Menschenrecht'. If it is tied to membership in a state, 'Bürgerrecht' is more precise.
Das Wahlrecht ist ein Bürgerrecht, das nicht jeder Besucher eines Landes hat.
The right to vote is a civil right that not every visitor to a country has.
In der Schule sprechen wir über Menschenrechte und warum sie für alle gelten.
At school, we talk about human rights and why they apply to everyone.