upper house / top division
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upper house
The first chamber in a bicameral parliamentary system, such as the House of Lords in the United Kingdom. In Germany, the Bundesrat functionally corresponds to an upper house.
Das Gesetz wurde vom Unterhaus verabschiedet und muss nun noch vom Oberhaus bestätigt werden.
The law was passed by the lower house and now still has to be approved by the upper house.
top division
In sports, the highest division or league in a particular discipline. The term is often used in football.
Nach dem Aufstieg spielt der Verein nun endlich wieder im Oberhaus des deutschen Fußballs.
After promotion, the club is finally playing in the top division of German football again.
upper part
The upper part of a building, especially the upper floors. This meaning is rather rare today and is often found in historical contexts.
Die Herrschaften bewohnten das Oberhaus, während die Dienerschaft im Souterrain untergebracht war.
The gentry lived in the upper part of the house, while the servants were housed in the basement.
The word is made up of 'ober-' (upper, higher) and 'Haus' (house). The prefix 'ober-' points in all meanings to a higher or more important position, whether political, sporting, or architectural.
Der Plan muss noch durch das Oberhaus, bevor er Gesetz wird.
The plan still has to go through the upper house before it becomes law.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about 'Gesetze' (laws), 'Politik' (politics), or a 'Parlament' (parliament), the political chamber is meant. With topics like 'Verein' (club), 'Liga' (league), or 'Saison' (season), it refers to the highest division in sports.
Das Gesetz wurde im Oberhaus lange diskutiert.
The law was discussed at length in the upper house.
In a sports context, the verbs 'aufsteigen' (to be promoted) and 'absteigen' (to be relegated) are especially important. A team can 'ins Oberhaus aufsteigen' (be promoted to the top division) or 'aus dem Oberhaus absteigen' (be relegated from the top division).
Nach einer fantastischen Saison stieg der Club ins Oberhaus auf.
After a fantastic season, the club was promoted to the top division.
The meaning 'upper part of a building' is very rare today and is considered outdated. You find it almost only in historical novels or texts that describe old building styles.
In dem alten Schloss bewohnte die Adelsfamilie das prunkvolle Oberhaus.
In the old castle, the noble family lived in the magnificent upper part of the house.
senate
Senat and Oberhaus can refer to the same chamber of a bicameral parliament. Senat is the specific name of certain institutions, such as the one in the United States. Oberhaus, by contrast, describes their function as the first or upper chamber. Senat is appropriate for an official name, while Oberhaus is appropriate when referring to the function.
Das Oberhaus des US-Parlaments stimmte dem Gesetz zu.
The upper house of the U.S. Parliament approved the bill.
Der Senat der USA stimmte dem Gesetz zu.
The U.S. Senate approved the bill.
