01
die Majestät
Majesty
A formal form of address or title for a monarch, such as a king or queen.
example
Ihre Majestät, die Königin, wird die Zeremonie eröffnen.
Her Majesty, the Queen, will open the ceremony.
die Majestät
majesty
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Grammatical feature
Although 'Majestät' (Majesty/majesty) can also refer to a male monarch, the word is always grammatically feminine. So you say 'Seine Majestät, der König' (His Majesty, the King), but the article remains 'die Majestät' (the Majesty/majesty).
EXAMPLE
Die Majestät des Königs ist unbestritten.
The majesty of the king is undisputed.
Context clue
When 'Majestät' (Majesty/majesty) is used with 'Ihre' (Her/Your) or 'Seine' (His), it usually refers to a monarch. If the word instead appears with a genitive such as 'der Berge' (of the mountains), it describes an impressive, sublime aura.
EXAMPLE
Ihre Majestät, die Königin, winkte der Menge zu.
Her Majesty, the Queen, waved to the crowd.
Form of address for monarchs
As a form of address for a monarch, 'Majestät' (Majesty) is used with a possessive pronoun: 'Ihre Majestät' (Her Majesty) for a queen and 'Seine Majestät' (His Majesty) for a king.
EXAMPLE
Seine Majestät der König wünscht nicht gestört zu werden.
His Majesty the King does not wish to be disturbed.
Typical collocations
In the figurative meaning, 'Majestät' (majesty) is often used to describe the impressive effect of large, unmoving things. Typical phrases are 'die Majestät der Berge' (the majesty of the mountains), 'die Majestät der Natur' (the majesty of nature), or 'die Majestät eines alten Bauwerks' (the majesty of an old structure).
EXAMPLE
Die stille Majestät des Waldes beruhigte ihn.
The quiet majesty of the forest calmed him.
Compare with
Majestät vs Hoheit
sovereignty / highness
'Majestät' and 'Hoheit' can both have to do with nobility, dignity, and a very formal form of address. As a form of address, 'Majestät' is mainly appropriate for a king or queen. 'Hoheit' is more often used for high-ranking nobles such as princes or princesses. Both words can also describe an elevated, dignified effect. Learners may confuse them because both sound ceremonial. But note: 'Hoheit' can also mean the sovereign power of a state, for example in 'staatliche Hoheit' (state sovereignty). 'Majestät' does not mean that.
Majestät
Der Diener verbeugte sich tief vor seiner Majestät.
The servant bowed deeply before His Majesty.
Hoheit
Bei der Feier wurde Ihre Hoheit von vielen Gästen begrüßt.
At the celebration, Her Highness was greeted by many guests.
In real life
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