state capital
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state capital
The city where the government and parliament of a federal state (in Germany and Austria) or a canton (in Switzerland) have their seat.
München ist die Landeshauptstadt von Bayern.
Munich is the state capital of Bavaria.
The word is made up of three parts: 'Land' (here: federal state), 'Haupt' (main/most important), and 'Stadt' (city). So it is the 'Haupt-Stadt' (capital city) of a 'Land' (state).
Wiesbaden ist die Landeshauptstadt von Hessen.
Wiesbaden is the state capital of Hesse.
This word is important for understanding the political structure of Germany and Austria. Each federal state has its own government and an official state capital where that government is based.
Deutschland besteht aus 16 Bundesländern mit 16 Landeshauptstädten.
Germany consists of 16 federal states with 16 state capitals.
To express belonging to a federal state, the preposition 'von' is almost always used. The pattern is: [city] ist die Landeshauptstadt von [federal state].
Potsdam ist die Landeshauptstadt von Brandenburg.
Potsdam is the state capital of Brandenburg.
capital
'die Hauptstadt' and 'die Landeshauptstadt' can both refer to a city where a government is based. The difference is the level. 'die Hauptstadt' is often the most important city of a country, for example Berlin for Germany. But the word can also be used more generally for a region. 'die Landeshauptstadt' more specifically means the capital of a federal state, for example Stuttgart for Baden-Württemberg. Learners confuse the words because both have to do with government and administration. When it is about a whole country, 'Hauptstadt' is usually appropriate. When it is about a federal state, 'Landeshauptstadt' is more precise.
München ist die Landeshauptstadt von Bayern.
Munich is the state capital of Bavaria.
Berlin ist die Hauptstadt von Deutschland.
Berlin is the capital of Germany.