How do you say Law in German?

Whether it’s a national regulation, a rule of nature, or something your parents declared at dinner - Germans call it a Gesetz. It’s the word for formal rules, binding principles, and universal truths.

The noun Gesetz means law, and it’s used to refer to both legal statutes and natural laws (like physics or logic). It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and you’ll find it in politics, science, religion, and even everyday complaints.

It’s a neuter noun, so we say das Gesetz.

Pronunciation

Gesetz is pronounced [guh-ZETS].

• The “Ge” sounds like “guh,”
• The “setz” rhymes with “pets,” and
• The final “z” gives it a sharp snap, like a legal gavel.

It has a strong, formal sound - exactly what you’d expect from something meant to regulate behavior.

Example sentences:

• Das neue Gesetz tritt nächste Woche in Kraft.The new law goes into effect next week.
• Im Universum gelten bestimmte Naturgesetze.Certain laws of nature apply in the universe.

Nuance and usage tips

In legal contexts, Gesetz is an enacted law or statute; in science and other contexts, it can name a regular principle without being an official codified rule. It applies in:

1. Legal contexts:
   • Strafgesetzbuch - penal code
   • Gesetzesentwurf - draft bill
   • gegen das Gesetz verstoßen - to break the law
2. Scientific or philosophical contexts:
   • Naturgesetz - law of nature
   • Gesetz der Schwerkraft - law of gravity
3. Religious or moral usage (less frequent):
   • Gottes Gesetz - God’s law

Grammatical case examples: