noun
law, act
B1
Gesetz: means 'law' or 'act' (statute). It's a neuter noun (das Gesetz). Plural: Gesetze. Genitive singular often des Gesetzes; plural die Gesetze. Regular plural formation (-e). Common in legal and formal contexts; declined like other neuter nouns with -es in the genitive singular.
Examples
Das neue Gesetz tritt am 1. Januar in Kraft.
The new law comes into effect on January 1st.
Der Bundestag verabschiedete ein Gesetz, das den Verbraucherschutz stärkte, obwohl es vorher lange Debatten gegeben hatte.
The Bundestag passed a law that strengthened consumer protection, although there had been long debates beforehand.
Dieses Gesetz regelt den Datenschutz.
This act regulates data protection.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a law book or a gavel to associate the word with legislation.
Think 'geh-SETZ' — 'set' as in 'set rules' to remember it's about rules or law.
das — picture a neutral law book sitting on a table to remember the neuter article.
Notes
Gesetz is the general word for law; 'das Gesetz' can also be translated as 'act' when referring to a specific statute passed by a legislature.