German word

Bundesverfassungsgericht

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbʊndəsfɛɐ̯ˌfasʊŋsgəˌʁɪçt/

Meaning

neuter nounFederal Constitutional Court

Example

Das Bundesverfassungsgericht hat das Gesetz für verfassungswidrig erklärt.

The Federal Constitutional Court declared the law unconstitutional.

Illustration for Bundesverfassungsgericht (Federal Constitutional Court)

More examples

Das Bundesverfassungsgericht hat seinen Sitz in Karlsruhe.

The Federal Constitutional Court has its seat in Karlsruhe.

Core concept

A federal court that tests laws against the constitution and decides constitutional disputes.

Common phrases

Klage vor dem Bundesverfassungsgericht
lawsuit before the Federal Constitutional Court
Sitz des Bundesverfassungsgerichts in Karlsruhe
the Federal Constitutional Court's seat in Karlsruhe

Similar words

BVerfG: The standard abbreviation for Germany's Federal Constitutional Court in official texts and news.
Verfassungsgericht: A general term for a court that resolves disputes about constitutional matters.

Definition in German

Das Bundesverfassungsgericht ist das höchste deutsche Gericht für Verfassungsstreitigkeiten und prüft, ob Gesetze mit dem Grundgesetz vereinbar sind.

Word origin

The compound combines German Bundes- 'federal', Verfassung 'constitution', and Gericht 'court'.

Usage tips

Bundesverfassungsgericht is neuter, so its definite article is das and its plural is uncommon in references to the institution.

Related words

verfassungsgerichtlichrelating to a constitutional courtadjective