German word

Fürstentum

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfʏɐ̯stn̩tuːm/

Meaning

  • neuter nounprincipality

Example

Das Fürstentum feierte sein Jubiläum mit einem großen Fest.

The principality celebrated its anniversary with a big festival.

Illustration for Fürstentum (principality)

More examples

Das kleine Fürstentum liegt zwischen zwei größeren Staaten.

The small principality lies between two larger states.

Core concept

A compact realm centered on a prince's court, with the ruler's authority defining the territory.

Common phrases

  • das souveräne Fürstentum

    the sovereign principality

  • Grenzen des Fürstentums

    borders of the principality

Similar words

Staat: An independent country with its own territory and government.
Republik: A country whose people elect representatives to govern them.
Königreich: A country ruled by a king as its head of state.
Herzogtum: A small territory governed by a duke.

Definition in German

Ein kleines, oft souveränes Gebiet, das von einem Fürsten regiert wird.

Word origin

Fürstentum combines Fürst, from Old High German furisto meaning 'first' or 'foremost', with -tum, a suffix related to English '-dom'.

Usage tips

  • Fürstentum is neuter, so its article is das, and its plural is Fürstentümer with an umlaut.

Opposites

Related words

  • fürstlichprincelyadjective

Word lists with this word