Staatsbürgerin

Staatsbürgerin is the feminine form of Staatsbürger and denotes a woman who holds the citizenship of a state. As a legal status, a Staatsbürgerin has membership in the political community of that state and is typically entitled to civil rights and subject to duties provided by law. The term is used in official language, statutes, and statistics to distinguish female citizens from male citizens.

Etymology: The word is formed from Staat (state) and Bürger (citizen), with the feminine suffix -in. The related term Staatsbürgerschaft means the status of citizenship; Staatsbürgerin refers to a person who holds that status. In inclusive language, forms such as Staatsbürgerinnen und Staatsbürger are used to address both genders.

Acquisition and rights: Citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, or naturalization, depending on a country’s laws. A Staatsbürgerin typically enjoys the rights granted to citizens, such as participation in elections and eligibility for certain public offices, while also bearing duties defined by law, such as obedience to laws and, in some jurisdictions, tax obligations or defense requirements. The exact rights and duties vary by country or region.

Usage and context: The term appears in law, government documents, election regulations, and demographic statistics. In contemporary German usage, many contexts prefer gender-inclusive formulations, for example Staatsbürgerinnen und Staatsbürger, to reflect both genders. The concept also exists in other German-speaking countries, with nuances shaped by each nation’s constitutional framework.