lower house
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lower house
The second chamber of a parliament in a bicameral system, usually elected directly by the people, especially the British 'House of Commons'.
Das Gesetz wurde nach einer langen Debatte im Unterhaus verabschiedet.
The law was passed after a long debate in the lower house.
lower part of a building
The lower part of a building, especially the ground floor or the cellar.
Die Werkstatt befindet sich im Unterhaus des alten Bauernhofs.
The workshop is located in the lower part of the old farmhouse.
The word is made up of 'unter' (under/lower) and 'Haus' (house). So the meaning is literally 'the lower house', which can refer either to the lower part of a building or to the lower chamber of a parliament.
Die Entscheidung des Unterhauses wird morgen erwartet.
The decision of the lower house is expected tomorrow.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about politics, laws, or countries like Great Britain, it refers to the parliamentary chamber. If it is about architecture, living, or specific buildings, it refers to the lower part of a building.
Die Abgeordneten debattierten hitzig im Unterhaus.
The members of parliament debated heatedly in the lower house.
In a political context, typical phrases are 'im Unterhaus debattieren' (to debate in the lower house), 'ein Gesetz im Unterhaus verabschieden' (to pass a law in the lower house), or 'die Abgeordneten des Unterhauses' (the members of the lower house).
Die Regierung hat im Unterhaus keine Mehrheit mehr.
The government no longer has a majority in the lower house.
The meaning 'unterer Teil eines Gebäudes' (lower part of a building) is rather rare today and is mainly used when describing old or rural houses.
Der Wein wurde im kühlen Unterhaus gelagert.
The wine was stored in the cool lower part of the house.
House of Representatives
Both words can refer to a directly elected parliamentary chamber. “Abgeordnetenhaus” is mainly the official name of certain parliaments, especially Berlin’s state parliament; “Unterhaus” refers to the lower chamber in a bicameral system, especially in the United Kingdom. The key distinction is therefore the institution’s name and its position within the parliament.
Das britische Unterhaus berät heute über den neuen Haushalt.
The British House of Commons is debating the new budget today.
Das Berliner Abgeordnetenhaus berät heute über den neuen Haushalt.
Berlin’s House of Representatives is debating the new budget today.
