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.
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The meaning 'upper part of a building' is very rare today and is considered outdated.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
'der Senat' and 'das Oberhaus' can both mean the upper or first chamber of a parliament in a bicameral system. 'Oberhaus' is the more general term for this type of chamber. 'Senat' is often the specific name of this chamber, for example in the USA or France. When speaking generally about the political system, 'Oberhaus' fits well. When the chamber is officially called that, 'Senat' is more precise.
Im britischen Parlament gehört das House of Lords zum Oberhaus.
In the British Parliament, the House of Lords is part of the upper house.
Der Senat der USA stimmt über den Gesetzentwurf ab.
The U.S. Senate votes on the bill.