congress / conference
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conference
A large, often multi-day specialist conference or meeting of experts, members of an organization, or a party to discuss specific topics.
Nächsten Monat findet in Hamburg ein internationaler Ärzte-Kongress statt.
Next month, an international doctors' conference will take place in Hamburg.
Careful: in German, 'der Kongress' usually means a specialist conference or convention. The English word 'Congress', however, almost always refers to the US parliament.
Der Mediziner-Kongress findet dieses Jahr in Berlin statt.
The medical conference is taking place in Berlin this year.
When referring to a conference, typical prepositions are used: you go 'zu einem Kongress' (to a conference), take part 'an einem Kongress' (in a conference), or give a talk 'auf einem Kongress' (at a conference).
Nimmst du dieses Jahr am Linguistik-Kongress teil?
Are you taking part in the linguistics conference this year?
When 'Kongress' (congress) means a parliament, the country or an adjective is usually added to make it clear, for example 'der amerikanische Kongress' (the American Congress) or 'der US-Kongress' (the US Congress).
Der US-Kongress muss dem neuen Haushalt noch zustimmen.
The US Congress still has to approve the new budget.
parliament
'das Parlament' and 'der Kongress' can both mean a large assembly. Politically, 'Parlament' is the general term for an elected assembly that passes laws. In certain countries, 'Kongress' can also refer to the legislative assembly, especially in the USA. Very often, however, 'Kongress' means a large specialist conference, for example of doctors, engineers, or a political party. The words can be confused because 'Kongress' functions like a parliament in some countries. In Germany, you normally do not say 'Kongress' for the legislative assembly, but rather 'Parlament' or the specific name, such as 'Bundestag'.
Wir fahren morgen zu einem Kongress über neue Technik.
We are going to a conference on new technology tomorrow.
Im Parlament diskutieren die Abgeordneten über ein neues Gesetz.
In parliament, the representatives are discussing a new law.