German word

Kabinett

Pronunciation

IPA/kabiˈnɛt/

Meaning

  • neuter nouncabinet

Example

Das Kabinett kündigte Reformen an.

The cabinet announced reforms.

Illustration for Kabinett (cabinet)

More examples

Im Museum gibt es ein kleines Kabinett mit Miniaturmöbeln.

There is a small exhibition room with miniature furniture in the museum.

Core concept

A small enclosed space holding a selected set, whether objects on display or ministers making decisions.

Common phrases

  • ein Kabinett bilden

    establish a cabinet

  • ein Kabinett vereidigen

    swear in a cabinet

  • ein Kabinett stürzen

    topple a cabinet

Similar words

Regierung: The institution or ruling body responsible for making and carrying out state policy.
Bundesregierung: The federal executive made up of the chancellor and ministers.
Bundeskanzler: The office of the head of a federal government who sets national policy.
Koalition: An alliance of several parties formed to govern and cooperate politically.

Definition in German

Kabinett bezeichnet die Gruppe der Minister, die gemeinsam staatliche Entscheidungen treffen.

Word origin

German Kabinett was borrowed from French cabinet, whose early sense was a small private room; German later extended it to a display case and a governing body.

Usage tips

  • In the political sense, das Kabinett names the ministers acting together, while die Regierung can mean the government more broadly; the plural is Kabinette.

Opposites

Related words

  • Kabinettschefhead of the cabinetnoun
  • Kabinettsitzungcabinet sessionnoun
  • Kabinettsmitgliedmember of the cabinetnoun

Word lists with this word