canton
der Kanton, die Kantone
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canton
A member state of the Swiss Confederation. Switzerland is federally divided into 26 cantons.
Der Kanton Graubünden ist der einzige dreisprachige Kanton der Schweiz.
The canton of Graubünden is the only trilingual canton in Switzerland.
canton
An administrative unit in other countries, for example in France, Belgium, or Luxembourg, situated below the level of an arrondissement or district.
Für die Wahlen wurde Frankreich in neue Kantone eingeteilt.
For the elections, France was divided into new cantons.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Kantone |
| genitive | des Kantons |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Kanton | die Kantone |
| accusative | den Kanton | die Kantone |
| dative | dem Kanton | den Kantonen |
| genitive | des Kantons | der Kantone |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The geographic association helps you understand the meaning. If 'Kanton' (canton) is mentioned in connection with Switzerland or Swiss cities, it means a member state. In connection with France or Belgium, it refers to a smaller administrative unit.
Der Kanton Genf liegt im Westen der Schweiz.
The canton of Geneva is in western Switzerland.
In Frankreich hat jeder Kanton einen Hauptort.
In France, every canton has a main town.
A 'Kanton' (canton) is a member state of the Swiss Confederation and has its own constitution, government, and laws. Knowing this term is central to understanding Switzerland's political system.
Die Schweiz besteht aus 26 Kantonen.
Switzerland consists of 26 cantons.
To describe a place within a canton, you use the preposition 'in' with the dative. Movement into a canton is expressed with 'in' and the accusative.
Luzern liegt im Kanton Luzern.
Lucerne is in the canton of Lucerne.
Nächstes Jahr ziehen wir in den Kanton Aargau.
Next year we are moving to the canton of Aargau.
federal state
Both words refer to a constituent state within a federal country. Bundesland is the usual term for such constituent states in Germany and Austria. For a constituent state of Switzerland, however, the word Kanton is used, so the choice depends on the country in question.
Zürich ist ein Kanton im Norden der Schweiz.
Zurich is a canton in northern Switzerland.
Bayern ist ein Bundesland im Süden Deutschlands.
Bavaria is a federal state in southern Germany.
