German word

Demokratie

Pronunciation

IPA/demokʁaˈtiː/

Meaning

  • feminine noundemocracy

Example

Die Demokratie schützt die Grundrechte.

Democracy protects fundamental rights.

Illustration for Demokratie (democracy)

More examples

In einer Demokratie hat jede Person das Recht zu wählen.

In a democracy, every person has the right to vote.

Core concept

Citizens shape public decisions through voting, representation, and open political participation.

Common phrases

  • in einer Demokratie

    in a democracy

  • die Demokratie stärken

    strengthen democracy

  • freie Demokratie

    free democracy

Similar words

Wahl: The process of voting to select candidates or decide on political proposals.
Republik: A state with nonhereditary leadership rather than a ruling monarch or dynasty.
Parlament: A representative body that considers and decides laws and public policies.
Diktatur: A political system that concentrates power in a few hands and limits public participation.

Definition in German

Demokratie bezeichnet eine politische Ordnung, in der Bürgerinnen und Bürger an der Ausübung staatlicher Macht beteiligt sind.

Word origin

German Demokratie comes through European borrowing from Greek demokratia, formed from demos 'people' and kratos 'power' or 'rule'.

Usage tips

  • Demokratie is feminine: die Demokratie, in der Demokratie, and the plural Demokratien when different systems are meant.

Other meanings

  • democratic governmentnoun

Opposites

  • Diktaturdictatorshipnoun
  • Autoritarismusauthoritarianismnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word