demonstration / rally
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demonstration / rally
A public gathering or demonstration, usually outdoors, where people express their opinion on a political or social issue.
Am Samstag findet eine große Kundgebung gegen Rassismus statt.
A large demonstration against racism is taking place on Saturday.
The word is derived from the verb 'kundgeben' (to announce/make known), which means 'etwas bekannt machen' (to make something known). The ending '-ung' turns it into a noun that describes an action or event.
Die Gewerkschaft gab die Pläne für die Kundgebung bekannt.
The trade union announced the plans for the demonstration.
Certain verbs are often used with 'Kundgebung' (demonstration/rally): you can 'organisieren' (organize) or 'abhalten' (hold) a demonstration, and you can 'teilnehmen' (take part) in one.
Tausende Menschen nahmen an der Kundgebung für den Frieden teil.
Thousands of people took part in the rally for peace.
The purpose of the demonstration is often expressed with the prepositions 'für' (for) or 'gegen' (against) to show the participants' position.
Die Organisation plant eine Kundgebung für mehr Umweltschutz.
The organization is planning a demonstration for more environmental protection.
demo
'die Demo' and 'die Kundgebung' both refer to public gatherings where people express their opinion. A 'Demo' often means a protest march or a larger action in the street. A 'Kundgebung' is more of a gathering at a specific place, often with speeches and posters. The words can overlap, so they are easy to confuse. When people are walking through the city, 'Demo' sounds more natural. When they are standing in a square and listening to speeches, 'Kundgebung' is more precise.
Vor dem Rathaus fand eine Kundgebung für bessere Arbeitsbedingungen statt.
A rally for better working conditions took place in front of city hall.
Am Samstag zieht die Demo durch die Innenstadt.
On Saturday, the demonstration will move through the city center.