German word

Souveränität

Pronunciation

IPA/zuvəʁɛniˈtɛːt/

Meaning

  • feminine nounsovereignty

Example

Die Souveränität liegt beim Volk.

Sovereignty lies with the people.

Illustration for Souveränität (sovereignty)

More examples

In regionalen Konflikten steht oft die Souveränität einzelner Gebiete zur Debatte.

In regional conflicts, the sovereignty of individual territories is often at issue.

Core concept

A state answers to no higher authority, while a person handles pressure with the same calm control.

Common phrases

  • staatliche Souveränität

    state sovereignty

  • Grenzen der Souveränität

    limits of sovereignty

  • Souveränität übertragen

    transfer sovereignty

Similar words

Selbstbestimmung: The right and ability to choose one's own way of life and make one's own decisions.
Autonomie: The freedom to manage one's own affairs and set internal rules within defined limits.
Unabhängigkeit: The state of being politically and economically free from other states or people.
Hoheitsgewalt: Official authority to make and enforce laws within a country.

Definition in German

Souveränität ist die Fähigkeit eines Staates, eigenständig Gesetze zu erlassen, anzuwenden und nach außen aufzutreten.

Word origin

The German noun was borrowed from French souveraineté, based on souverain and ultimately related to Latin superanus, from super, meaning 'above'.

Usage tips

  • In German, Souveränität also means poise or self-possession for a person, a use that English sovereignty does not normally have.

Other meanings

  • ruling authoritynoun
  • composurenoun

Opposites

  • Unterwerfungsubmissionnoun
  • Fremdherrschaftforeign rulenoun

Related words

  • Souveränitätserklärungdeclaration of sovereigntynoun
  • Souveränitätsanspruchclaim to sovereigntynoun

Word lists with this word