national / citizen
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national / citizen
A person who has the nationality of a particular state; a citizen of a country. This is a formal, legal term.
Als deutscher Staatsangehöriger hat er das Recht, an der Bundestagswahl teilzunehmen.
As a German national, he has the right to take part in the federal election.
The word is made up of 'Staat' (state), the linking element '-s-', and 'Angehöriger' (member/relative). An 'Angehöriger' is a member of a group, so a Staatsangehöriger is literally a 'member of a state'.
Als Angehöriger eines EU-Staates darf er hier arbeiten.
As a national of an EU state, he is allowed to work here.
'Staatsangehöriger' (national/citizen) is a very formal term from legal and administrative language. You mainly find it in official documents, forms, or laws.
Bitte tragen Sie in das Formular Ihre aktuelle Staatsangehörigkeit ein.
Please enter your current nationality in the form.
This noun is declined like an adjective (the so-called N-declension). This means that in most cases after the article it takes the ending '-en'.
Die Rechte des Staatsangehörigen sind im Grundgesetz verankert.
The rights of the national are enshrined in the Basic Law.
citizen
'der Bürger' and 'der Staatsangehöriger' can both refer to a person who belongs to a state and has rights and duties there. 'Bürger' sounds more general and is also used in everyday language, politics, or the news. 'Staatsangehöriger' is much more formal and precise, especially in connection with authorities, passports, visas, or legal questions. Learners may confuse the words because both are connected to a country. In practice: when it is about official membership in a state, 'Staatsangehöriger' fits better; when speaking generally about people in a state, 'Bürger' sounds more natural.
Er ist deutscher Staatsangehöriger und braucht für die Einreise keinen zusätzlichen Nachweis.
He is a German national and does not need any additional proof to enter the country.
Viele Bürger wünschen sich bessere Busverbindungen in ihrer Stadt.
Many residents would like better bus connections in their city.