A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Reichstag
Pronounce 'Reichstag' like 'Ricks-tahg' to sound German speaker discussing history.
reichstag
RYKS-tahg
/ˈraɪksˌtɑːɡ/ · RYKS · tahg
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's also used when referring to the historical German parliament itself, especially during the German Empire and Weimar Republic periods.
Where the word comes from
The word 'Reichstag' comes from German, combining 'Reich' (empire, realm) and 'Tag' (day, diet, assembly). It literally means 'Diet of the Realm' or 'Imperial Diet'.
Common ways people get it wrong
- RICH-stag Americans often substitute the 'i' sound with 'i' as in 'rich', but the German 'ei' is closer to the 'y' in 'sky'.
- RIKE-stag The 'ch' sound in German is not a hard 'k' sound. It's a guttural sound made in the back of the throat, but for English speakers, approximating it with a 'ks' sound is common and understandable.
Frequently asked
How do you say Reichstag in German?
The German pronunciation is roughly 'RYKS-tahk'. The 'g' at the end is often pronounced like a 'k'.
What does Reichstag mean?
It translates to 'Diet of the Realm' or 'Imperial Diet', referring to the historical parliament of Germany.
Is it the Reichstag building or the Reichstag?
Both are correct. 'Reichstag' can refer to the building in Berlin or the legislative body itself. Context usually makes it clear.
