department
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department
A subarea or subdivision of a larger organization, such as a company, government agency, or university.
Sie arbeitet in der Personalabteilung und ist für Neueinstellungen zuständig.
She works in the HR department and is responsible for new hires.
department / section
A specific area in a department store or supermarket where a particular type of goods is sold.
Die frischen Backwaren finden Sie in der Abteilung gleich am Eingang.
You can find the fresh baked goods in the department right by the entrance.
unit
A military unit whose size varies depending on the branch of service.
Die Abteilung der Artillerie wurde an einen neuen Standort verlegt.
The artillery unit was moved to a new location.
division
In biology, a high taxonomic rank in the classification of plants and fungi, below kingdom and above class.
Die Bedecktsamer bilden eine Abteilung innerhalb des Pflanzenreichs.
The angiosperms form a division within the plant kingdom.
The noun 'Abteilung' (department) is derived from the separable verb 'abteilen' (to divide off). It literally describes an area that has been separated from a larger whole, that is, a subarea or section.
Der neue Mitarbeiter wird der Entwicklungsabteilung zugeteilt.
The new employee is assigned to the development department.
'Abteilung' (department) is a very productive base word for compounds. The first part of the word describes the function of the department, for example 'Personalabteilung' (HR department), 'Marketingabteilung' (marketing department), or 'Gemüseabteilung' (vegetable section).
Für Fragen zu Ihrem Gehalt wenden Sie sich bitte an die Personalabteilung.
For questions about your salary, please contact the HR department.
In a professional context, 'Abteilung' (department) is almost always used with the preposition 'in' and the dative. Typical phrases are 'in einer Abteilung arbeiten' (to work in a department) or 'eine Abteilung leiten' (to lead a department).
Er leitet seit drei Jahren die Abteilung für Finanzen.
He has been leading the finance department for three years.
You can easily tell what kind of 'Abteilung' (department/section) is meant from the context. If it involves a 'Firma' (company) or 'Büro' (office), it means an organizational unit. With 'Kaufhaus' (department store) or 'Supermarkt' (supermarket), it refers to an area for goods.
Unsere Abteilung hat dieses Jahr alle Ziele erreicht.
Our department achieved all its goals this year.
area / field
Bereich and Abteilung can refer to part of an organization. An Abteilung is usually a formally defined unit with its own employees and responsibilities. A Bereich is more general or functionally defined and can include several departments.
Die Abteilung Recruiting gehört zum Bereich Personal.
The Recruiting department belongs to the Human Resources area.
Der Bereich Personal umfasst die Abteilungen Recruiting und Weiterbildung.
The Human Resources area includes the Recruiting and Professional Development departments.
