German word

demokratisch

Pronunciation

IPA/deːmoˈkʁaːtɪʃ/

Meaning

  • adjectivedemocratic

Example

Wir leben in einer demokratischen Gesellschaft.

We live in a democratic society.

Illustration for demokratisch (democratic)

More examples

In der Schule sprechen Schüler oft über demokratische Wahlen.

At school, students often talk about democratic elections.

Core concept

A shared course chosen by the people rather than imposed by one ruler.

Common phrases

  • demokratische Gesellschaft

    democratic society

  • demokratische Wahlen

    democratic elections

  • demokratische Partei

    democratic party

Similar words

partizipativ: Giving many people a role in sharing ideas and making decisions.
mitbestimmend: Giving those affected a say in decisions that concern them.
gemeinsam: Done together and shared by several people.

Definition in German

Bezeichnet eine Organisations- oder Entscheidungsweise, bei der die Bürger durch Wahlen oder direkte Abstimmungen mitbestimmen.

Word origin

The adjective comes through German Demokratie from Greek demokratia, formed from demos for people and kratos for power or rule, with German -isch.

Usage tips

  • As an attributive adjective, demokratisch takes ordinary adjective endings, as in eine demokratische Gesellschaft, but it stays unchanged after sein.

Opposites

  • undemokratischundemocraticadjective
  • autoritärauthoritarianadjective

Related words

  • Demokratiedemocracynoun
  • demokratisierendemocratizeverb
  • Demokratisierungdemocratizationnoun

Word lists with this word