Politischer

Politischer is a German adjective meaning “political” and, in a different sense, the comparative form meaning “more political.” It is derived from politisch, which in turn comes from Politik, with roots in French politique and ultimately Greek politike from polis (city-state).

Usage and forms

As an attributive adjective, politischer inflects for gender, number and case. In masculine singular nominative after an indefinite article, one says ein politischer Mann. With a definite article: der politische Mann. In feminine singular: eine politische Frau; in neuter singular: ein politisches System; in plural: politische Entscheidungen. After a definite article the endings follow the weak inflection: der politische Mann, die politische Frau, das politische System, die politischen Entscheidungen. Without articles, the strong endings appear: politischer Mann, politische Frau, politisches System, politische Entscheidungen.

As a comparative adjective, politischer also means “more political.” For example: Dieser Fall ist politischer als der andere. In contexts such as political analysis or journalism, politischer is common in both attributive and predicative positions.

Semantic range

Politischer covers anything related to politics, government, or public affairs, as opposed to other senses of policy more generally or to non-political aspects of life. It can describe institutions (politisches System), events (politischer Konflikt), ideologies (politische Strömungen), or persons (ein politischer Akteur). In scholarly and media usage, the term frequently appears in discussions of policy, power, elections, and governance.

Related terms

Politik refers to the field or practice of politics; politisch is the base adjective; Politiker, Politikerin denotes a politician (noun). The term shares its etymology with related European words for political life and civic organization.