01
die Nationalität
nationality
A person's legal belonging to a particular state; citizenship.
example
Bei der Einreise muss man seine Nationalität angeben.
When entering the country, you have to state your nationality.
die Nationalität
nationality
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The word is derived from the adjective 'national' (national). The ending '-ität' (-ity) is typical of abstract nouns formed from adjectives and means something like '-heit' or '-keit' (-ness/-ity).
EXAMPLE
Die Qualität dieses Produkts ist sehr hoch.
The quality of this product is very high.
Context clue
The meaning depends strongly on the context. In the singular in official situations, such as on a form, it usually means citizenship. In the plural in historical or sociological texts, it often refers to ethnic groups.
EXAMPLE
Bitte tragen Sie hier Ihre Nationalität ein.
Please enter your nationality here.
Typical collocations
In connection with citizenship, 'Nationalität' (nationality) is often used with certain verbs. Typical phrases are 'die Nationalität haben' (to have the nationality), 'die Nationalität besitzen' (to possess the nationality), or 'die Nationalität angeben' (to state one's nationality).
EXAMPLE
Er besitzt die doppelte Nationalität.
He has dual nationality.
Compare with
Nationalität vs Herkunft
origin
'die Herkunft' and 'die Nationalität' are easily confused because both have to do with identity and belonging. 'Herkunft' means where someone comes from socially, geographically, or in terms of family. 'Nationalität' often means legal belonging to a state, that is, what citizenship someone has. It can also mean ethnic belonging. The two do not have to be the same: for example, a person can have a particular origin but a different nationality. On forms, 'Nationalität' usually means official citizenship; in conversations about family or roots, 'Herkunft' is more suitable.
Nationalität
Frau Schmidt trägt ihre Nationalität in das Formular ein.
Ms. Schmidt enters her nationality on the form.
Herkunft
Für das Projekt sprechen die Schüler über ihre Herkunft und die Sprachen in ihren Familien.
For the project, the students talk about their origin and the languages in their families.
In real life
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