01
das Gemeindemitglied
parishioner
A person who is part of a church congregation or another religious community.
example
Der Pfarrer kennt jedes Gemeindemitglied persönlich.
The pastor knows every parishioner personally.
das Gemeindemitglied
community member
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of 'die Gemeinde' (the community, parish, municipality) and 'das Mitglied' (the member). The structure '(X)-mitglied' is very productive in German, as you can also see in 'Vereinsmitglied' (club member) or 'Familienmitglied' (family member).
EXAMPLE
Jedes neue Parteimitglied wird persönlich begrüßt.
Every new party member is personally welcomed.
Context clue
The context tells you whether a religious or political Gemeinde (community, parish, municipality) is meant. Words like 'Kirche' (church), 'Pfarrer' (pastor), or 'Gottesdienst' (church service) point to the religious meaning; 'Rathaus' (town hall), 'Bürgermeister' (mayor), or 'Wahlen' (elections) point to the political one.
EXAMPLE
Die Gemeindemitglieder spendeten für die Renovierung der Kirche.
The parishioners donated money for the renovation of the church.
Register and style
In the political sense ('Einwohner einer Kommune' — resident of a municipality), 'Gemeindemitglied' often sounds very formal or bureaucratic. In everyday language, the words 'Einwohner' (resident) or 'Bürger' (citizen) are more common.
EXAMPLE
Laut Satzung muss jedes Gemeindemitglied Müllgebühren zahlen.
According to the statutes, every municipality member must pay waste disposal fees.
Compare with
Gemeindemitglied vs Bürger
citizen
'der Bürger' and 'das Gemeindemitglied' can both refer to a person who belongs to a city or municipality. 'Bürger' is the normal, broad word for a resident in relation to a city or the state. 'Gemeindemitglied' is narrower and sounds more strongly like membership in a specific community; it often even means a member of a church congregation, but in this meaning it can also refer to a political municipality. The words can be confused because both have to do with a 'Gemeinde' (municipality/community) or city. In everyday language and politics, people usually say 'Bürger'. 'Gemeindemitglied' fits better when belonging to this specific municipality is being emphasized.
Gemeindemitglied
Jedes Gemeindemitglied bekommt eine Einladung zur Versammlung.
Every municipality member receives an invitation to the meeting.
Bürger
Am Abend können die Bürger im Rathaus Fragen zum neuen Bauprojekt stellen.
In the evening, residents can ask questions about the new construction project at city hall.
In real life
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