opposition
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opposition
In politics, all the parties in a parliament that are not part of the government and take a critical stance toward it.
Die Opposition forderte den Rücktritt des Ministers.
The opposition called for the minister's resignation.
Words that end in '-tion' often come from Latin and are always feminine in German. This helps you remember the correct article 'die' for 'Opposition' and many other words.
Die Information ist wichtig für die Organisation der Demonstration.
The information is important for the organization of the demonstration.
You can almost always recognize the meaning of 'Opposition' (opposition) from the topic. In the news, it is usually about politics. In discussions about plans, it means general resistance. In texts about astronomy or chess, the word has a very specific technical meaning.
Der Plan stieß bei den Anwohnern auf heftige Opposition.
The plan met with fierce opposition from the residents.
In a political context, 'die Opposition' is a collective term for the parties that are not governing. Typical phrases are 'in der Opposition sein' (to be in opposition), or sentences in which the opposition as an actor 'fordert' (demands/calls for) or 'kritisiert' (criticizes) something.
Seit der letzten Wahl ist diese Partei in der Opposition.
Since the last election, this party has been in opposition.
Outside politics, 'Opposition' describes general resistance. Fixed expressions are 'auf Opposition stoßen' (to meet with opposition) and 'in Opposition zu jemandem/etwas stehen' (to be in opposition to someone/something).
Seine modernen Ideen stehen in klarer Opposition zur Tradition des Unternehmens.
His modern ideas are in clear opposition to the company's tradition.
In specialized fields like astronomy or chess, 'Opposition' has a very precise, technical meaning. These meanings are extremely rare outside these contexts.
Der Mars erreicht bald seine Opposition zur Sonne und ist dann die ganze Nacht sichtbar.
Mars will soon reach opposition to the Sun and will then be visible all night.
government
'die Regierung' and 'die Opposition' are opposites in politics. 'Die Regierung' leads the country and is responsible for political decisions. 'Die Opposition' consists of the parties in parliament that are not part of the government. It criticizes the government and often makes its own proposals. So the contrast is: the government governs, while the opposition checks it and disagrees with it.
Die Opposition kritisiert den Plan und fordert mehr Informationen.
The opposition criticizes the plan and demands more information.
Die Regierung verteidigt ihre Entscheidung im Parlament.
The government defends its decision in parliament.