legislator
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legislator
The state institution responsible for passing laws, for example parliament.
Der Gesetzgeber hat beschlossen, die Steuern für umweltfreundliche Produkte zu senken.
The legislator has decided to lower taxes on environmentally friendly products.
This noun is made up of 'Gesetz' (law) and 'Geber' (giver). A 'Geber' is a person or body that gives something. So the 'Gesetzgeber' is literally the institution that 'gives' or enacts laws.
Der Gesetzgeber muss klare Regeln für den Datenschutz schaffen.
The legislator must create clear rules for data protection.
Although the word sounds like a person, 'der Gesetzgeber' usually refers to an abstract institution such as parliament. It is used in the singular to summarize the entire legislative power of a state.
Es wird erwartet, dass der Gesetzgeber bald auf die öffentliche Debatte reagiert.
It is expected that the legislator will soon respond to the public debate.
In political and legal contexts, 'der Gesetzgeber' is often used with certain verbs. Typical combinations are 'ein Gesetz erlassen' (to enact a law), 'etwas vorschreiben' (to prescribe something), 'etwas regeln' (to regulate something), or 'etwas beschließen' (to decide something).
Der Gesetzgeber hat ein neues Gesetz zum Schutz der Umwelt erlassen.
The legislator has enacted a new law to protect the environment.
government
'die Regierung' and 'der Gesetzgeber' both have to do with state power, but their tasks are different. The government carries out policy and runs the state in day-to-day matters. The legislator makes or passes laws; often this means parliament. Learners may confuse the words because governments often propose new laws. But in most cases, the legislator has to pass them. As a simple guide: Regierung = lead and implement, Gesetzgeber = pass laws.
Der Gesetzgeber muss entscheiden, ob die Regel geändert wird.
The legislator must decide whether the rule will be changed.
Die Regierung plant ein neues Programm gegen Arbeitslosigkeit.
The government is planning a new program to fight unemployment.