Dutch is a Germanic language spoken primarily in the Netherlands and Belgium. It shares a lot of similarities with English and German, especially in terms of vocabulary. In this article, we will explore Dutch vocabulary related to the world of politics, a topic that’s ever-present in daily discussions, news, and debates.
Politiek – Politics
De discussie ging vooral over lokale politiek.
Politiek refers to the activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power.
Regering – Government
De regering heeft nieuwe wetten voorgesteld.
Regering encompasses the governing body of a nation, state, or community.
Partij – Party
Hij is lid van de groenste partij in Nederland.
In the political context, partij refers to an organized group of people with at least roughly similar political aims and opinions, that seeks to influence public policy by getting its candidates elected to public office.
Stem – Vote
Elke stem telt tijdens de verkiezingen.
Stem means the act of showing one’s preference or support for a candidate or proposal by marking a ballot or raising one’s hand.
Verkiezing – Election
De nationale verkiezingen vinden volgende maand plaats.
Verkiezing is the formal process of selecting a person for public office or accepting or rejecting a political proposition by voting.
Democratie – Democracy
Nederland is een representatieve democratie.
Democratie is a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
Wet – Law
De nieuwe wet wordt volgende week van kracht.
Wet refers to the system of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and may enforce by the imposition of penalties.
Kamer – Chamber
De Tweede Kamer heeft het voorstel goedgekeurd.
In the context of Dutch politics, kamer usually refers to either of the two houses of the Dutch parliament—the Tweede Kamer (Second Chamber) is the lower house and the Eerste Kamer (First Chamber) is the upper house.
Beleid – Policy
Het regeringsbeleid richt zich op duurzaamheid.
Beleid means a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual, particularly in government.
Minister – Minister
De minister van Financiën presenteert de begroting.
A minister in the Dutch context is a head of a governmental department.
Kabinet – Cabinet
Het kabinet komt vandaag bijeen om te vergaderen.
Kabinet refers to a body of high-ranking state officials, typically consisting of the top leaders of the executive branch. They are usually called ministers, but in some jurisdictions are sometimes called secretaries.
Staatssecretaris – State Secretary
De staatssecretaris van Onderwijs heeft een nieuw initiatief aangekondigd.
A staatssecretaris is a political position somewhat analogous to a vice minister, often in the Dutch and Belgian governments.
Oppositie – Opposition
De oppositie heeft kritiek op het voorgestelde beleid.
Oppositie refers to the political parties that are not part of the government; they may contest against or differ from the policies of the ruling party.
Burgemeester – Mayor
De burgemeester heeft de nieuwe speeltuin geopend.
A burgemeester is the head of a city, town, or other municipality.
Wethouder – Alderman
De wethouder van Volksgezondheid spreekt op de conferentie.
A wethouder is a municipal executive or councillor in the Netherlands, responsible for a particular area of policy.
Staten-Generaal – States General
De Staten-Generaal debatteren over de nieuwe grondwetswijziging.
Staten-Generaal is the name of the Dutch parliament, consisting of two chambers.
Grondwet – Constitution
De Grondwet beschermt de vrijheid van meningsuiting.
Grondwet is the fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state is governed.
Gemeente – Municipality
De gemeente heeft plannen om de wegen te verbeteren.
Gemeente refers to a city or town with its own local government in the Netherlands.
Understanding these terms not only enriches your vocabulary but also deepens your understanding of Dutch society and its political landscape. This knowledge is particularly useful in conversations with native speakers and when following Dutch news and media.
