der Ratsherr
councilman
The masculine form for an elected member of a city or municipal council.
EXAMPLE
Die Ratsherren und Ratsfrauen stimmten über den neuen Haushalt ab.
The councilmen and councilwomen voted on the new budget.
der Ratsherr
councilman
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'Rat' (council, in the sense of city council), the linking -s, and 'Herr' (man/gentleman). So it literally means a 'man of the council' or 'council-man'.
EXAMPLE
Der älteste Ratsherr der Stadt wurde für seine langjährige Arbeit geehrt.
The city's oldest councilman was honored for his many years of work.
Register
'Ratsherr' (councilman) is an official, formal term from the field of politics and administration. You will hear it less often in everyday conversation.
EXAMPLE
In der Satzung der Stadt sind die Pflichten eines Ratsherrn genau festgelegt.
The duties of a councilman are precisely defined in the city's statutes.
Typical use
In modern official language, both gender forms are often mentioned together for reasons of equality, in order to address all members of the council.
EXAMPLE
Zur Sitzung erschienen alle Ratsherren und Ratsfrauen pünktlich.
All councilmen and councilwomen arrived on time for the meeting.
Compare with
Ratsherr vs Gemeinderat
municipal council / council member
Gemeinderat and Ratsherr can refer to a man who is a member of a municipal council. Ratsherr is explicitly masculine and often sounds more traditional. As a term for a person, Gemeinderat is regionally specific and can also be confused with the entire body when there is no context.
Ratsherr
In der traditionellen Ansprache wird Herr Weber als neuer Ratsherr begrüßt.
In the traditional form of address, Mr. Weber is welcomed as the new councilman.
Gemeinderat
In der regionalen Zeitung wird Herr Weber als neuer Gemeinderat vorgestellt.
The regional newspaper introduces Mr. Weber as the new council member.
In real life
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