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German Phrase

Und die Abkürzung vom Bundesstaat?

/ʊnt diː ˈapkʏʁt͡sʊŋ fɔm ˈbʊndəsʃtaːt/
Meaning"And the abbreviation of the state?"
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Meaning

Literally: 'And the abbreviation of the federal state?' It is a short, informal way to ask for the two‑letter code (e.g., BY for Bayern) that represents a German state.

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When to use

Use this question when you need the short code of a state for forms, address fields, quizzes, or when discussing vehicle registration plates.

✦Grammar Breakdown

UnddieAbkürzungvomBundesstaat?

1

Und (conjunction)

Used to connect sentences or clauses, similar to 'and' in English.

2

die (definite article)

Feminine nominative singular article; matches the noun 'Abkürzung'.

3

Abkürzung (noun)

A feminine noun meaning 'abbreviation' or 'short form'.

4

vom (von + dem)

A contraction of the preposition 'von' (from) and the dative article 'dem', indicating 'from the'.

5

Bundesstaat (noun)

Masculine noun meaning 'federal state'; in Germany the more common term is 'Bundesland'.

🗨In Conversation

A

Und die Abkürzung vom Bundesstaat?

And the abbreviation of the state?

Bayern ist BY, Hessen ist HE, und Berlin ist BE.

Bavaria is BY, Hesse is HE, and Berlin is BE.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Und die Abkürzung von Bundesstaat?

    The preposition 'von' needs the dative article 'dem' (vom) when referring to a specific state.

  • Und die Abkürzung vom Bundesstaat?

    In everyday German 'Bundesland' is preferred; using 'Bundesstaat' can sound overly formal or Austrian.

  • Und Abkürzung vom Bundesstaat?

    Do not drop the article; 'die' matches the feminine noun 'Abkürzung'.

↔Alternatives

  • Wie lautet die Abkürzung des Bundeslandes?

    What is the abbreviation of the federal state?

  • Was ist die Kurzform vom Bundesstaat?

    What is the short form of the state?

  • Könntest du mir die Abkürzung des Bundeslandes nennen?

    Could you tell me the abbreviation of the federal state?

de

Cultural Tip

In Germany the official term for a state is 'Bundesland', and each has a two‑letter abbreviation used on car licence plates and in postal addresses (e.g., 'BY' for Bayern, 'NW' for Nordrhein‑Westfalen). When speaking with locals, using 'Bundesland' sounds more natural, but 'Bundesstaat' is still understood.