federal capital
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federal capital
The capital of a federal state (a federal country or confederation of states).
Nach der Wiedervereinigung wurde Berlin wieder zur deutschen Bundeshauptstadt.
After reunification, Berlin once again became the German federal capital.
The word is made up of three parts: 'Bundes-' (of the federation), 'Haupt-' (main/most important), and 'Stadt' (city). So it literally means the 'capital city of the federation.'
Bonn war lange Zeit die Bundeshauptstadt der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
Bonn was the federal capital of the Federal Republic of Germany for a long time.
The word is often used as an apposition, meaning an explanatory addition directly after the name of the city. In that case, it is set off by commas.
Viele Touristen besuchen jedes Jahr Berlin, die deutsche Bundeshauptstadt.
Many tourists visit Berlin, the German federal capital, every year.
'Bundeshauptstadt' (federal capital) is almost always combined with an adjective indicating nationality. Typical examples are 'die deutsche Bundeshauptstadt' (the German federal capital, Berlin), 'die österreichische Bundeshauptstadt' (the Austrian federal capital, Vienna), or 'die schweizerische Bundeshauptstadt' (the Swiss federal capital, Bern).
Wien ist nicht nur die österreichische Bundeshauptstadt, sondern auch ein wichtiges Kulturzentrum.
Vienna is not only the Austrian federal capital, but also an important cultural center.
This word belongs more to formal written language, as found in news reports, official documents, or geography lessons. In normal conversation, people usually just say the name of the city.
In dem Zeitungsartikel wird die Rolle der Bundeshauptstadt diskutiert.
The newspaper article discusses the role of the federal capital.
capital
'Hauptstadt' and 'Bundeshauptstadt' both refer to an important city where the government is usually based. 'Hauptstadt' is the more general word and fits countries, federal states, or regions. 'Bundeshauptstadt' is more specific and fits a federal state, that is, a state made up of several parts or federal states. Learners may confuse the words because Berlin, for example, is both: a capital and a federal capital. In everyday language, 'Hauptstadt' is usually enough. 'Bundeshauptstadt' sounds more precise and more official.
Berlin ist die Bundeshauptstadt der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
Berlin is the federal capital of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Paris ist die Hauptstadt von Frankreich.
Paris is the capital of France.