A person nominated by a political party as a candidate for the office of Federal Chancellor in a federal election in Germany.
example
Auf dem Parteitag wurde der Fraktionsvorsitzende zum Kanzlerkandidaten gewählt.
At the party conference, the parliamentary group leader was chosen as the chancellor candidate.
Usage tips
Compound word
This word is a compound of 'der Kanzler' (the chancellor) and 'der Kandidat' (the candidate). So it literally describes a person who is a candidate for the office of chancellor.
EXAMPLE
Die Partei hat noch keinen offiziellen Kanzlerkandidaten benannt.
The party has not yet named an official chancellor candidate.
Grammar: N-declension
'Kanzlerkandidat' (chancellor candidate) belongs to the N-declension. This means that in all cases except the nominative singular, it takes the ending '-en'. This is a common mistake among learners.
EXAMPLE
Die Journalisten stellten dem Kanzlerkandidaten viele Fragen.
The journalists asked the chancellor candidate many questions.
Typical collocations
In a political context, this word is often used with certain verbs, for example: 'jemanden zum Kanzlerkandidaten küren' (to choose someone as chancellor candidate), 'als Kanzlerkandidat antreten' (to run as chancellor candidate), or 'einen Kanzlerkandidaten aufstellen' (to nominate a chancellor candidate).
EXAMPLE
Er wird bei der nächsten Wahl als Kanzlerkandidat für seine Partei antreten.
He will run as chancellor candidate for his party in the next election.
Cultural context
The term is specific to Germany's political system and refers to the election of the Federal Chancellor in the context of the Bundestag election. In other countries, there are often different terms for leading candidates.
EXAMPLE
Die TV-Debatte der Kanzlerkandidaten hatte hohe Einschaltquoten.
The TV debate between the chancellor candidates had high ratings.
Compare with
near_synonym · confusable
Kanzlerkandidat vs Kandidat
candidate
'der Kandidat' and 'der Kanzlerkandidat' both belong to the area of elections and politics. 'Kandidat' is general and means any person who runs in an election. 'Kanzlerkandidat' is much more specific: a party nominates this person as a possible Federal Chancellor in a federal election in Germany. Learners may confuse the words because a chancellor candidate is also a candidate. If the office is not named exactly, 'Kandidat' is enough. If it is about the office of Federal Chancellor, 'Kanzlerkandidat' is the precise form.
Kanzlerkandidat
Im Fernsehen diskutierte der Kanzlerkandidat über Steuern und Bildung.
On television, the chancellor candidate discussed taxes and education.
Kandidat
Bei der Wahl im Verein stellte jeder Kandidat kurz seine Ideen vor.
In the club election, each candidate briefly presented his ideas.