civil right
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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.
fundamental right
A Grundrecht is a fundamental right of the individual against the state that is anchored in the constitution. Bürgerrecht, by contrast, emphasizes that a state-guaranteed right belongs to citizens. The right to vote therefore depends on citizen status, while Grundrecht refers to the constitutional category.
Das Wahlrecht ist ein Bürgerrecht, das den Staatsbürgern zusteht.
The right to vote is a civil right that citizens are entitled to.
Die Meinungsfreiheit ist ein Grundrecht des Einzelnen gegenüber dem Staat.
Freedom of expression is a fundamental right of the individual against the state.
