der Bundestag
Bundestag
The parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany, which passes laws.
EXAMPLE
Der Bundestag hat heute über das neue Klimaschutzgesetz abgestimmt.
The Bundestag voted today on the new climate protection law.
der Bundestag
Bundestag
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Meanings
der Bundestag
Bundestag building
The Reichstag building in Berlin, where the German parliament meets.
EXAMPLE
Bei unserem Besuch in Berlin haben wir auch den Bundestag mit seiner Glaskuppel besichtigt.
During our visit to Berlin, we also toured the Bundestag with its glass dome.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Bundestag' is made up of 'Bund' (short for Federal Republic) and 'Tag'. The word 'Tag' here does not mean 'day', but is an old word for an assembly or parliament, as also in 'Reichstag'.
EXAMPLE
Der Bundestag ist das Herz der deutschen Demokratie.
The Bundestag is the heart of German democracy.
Cultural context
'Der Bundestag' is the official name for the parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is not a general word for 'parliament', but refers to a specific political institution.
EXAMPLE
Alle vier Jahre wird in Deutschland ein neuer Bundestag gewählt.
Every four years, a new Bundestag is elected in Germany.
Place vs. institution
Pay attention to the verbs and prepositions to distinguish between the building and the institution. Verbs like 'besichtigen' (to tour/visit) or the preposition 'in den' (accusative) refer to the building. Verbs like 'beschließen' (to pass/decide) or 'tagen' (to meet/be in session) refer to the institution.
EXAMPLE
Touristen können die Kuppel des Bundestags besichtigen.
Tourists can visit the dome of the Bundestag.
Typical verbs
When the Bundestag is meant as an institution, it is often combined with political verbs. Typical examples are: Der Bundestag tagt (the Bundestag is in session), debattiert (debates), stimmt ab (votes), or wählt (elects).
EXAMPLE
Der Bundestag tagt diese Woche in Berlin.
The Bundestag is in session in Berlin this week.
Compare with
Bundestag vs Parlament
parliament
Parlament is the general term for an elected legislative assembly. Bundestag is the specific name of the parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany. Parlament is appropriate for a general statement; when Germany is explicitly meant, Bundestag is more precise.
Bundestag
In Deutschland beschließt der Bundestag die Gesetze.
In Germany, the Bundestag passes the laws.
Parlament
In einer Demokratie beschließt das Parlament die Gesetze.
In a democracy, parliament passes the laws.
In real life
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