office / agency
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office / agency
A public authority or office responsible for specific administrative tasks.
Für die Ummeldung deines Wohnsitzes musst du zum Bürgeramt gehen.
To re-register your place of residence, you have to go to the citizens' office.
office / position
An official, usually public position or function with specific duties and powers.
Sie wurde für vier Jahre in das Amt der Schatzmeisterin gewählt.
She was elected to the office of treasurer for four years.
term of office
The period of time during which a person holds an official position; the term of office.
Während seines Amtes als Direktor hat er die Schule modernisiert.
During his term of office as director, he modernized the school.
mass / service
A solemn church service in the Catholic Church.
Der Bischof zelebrierte das feierliche Amt im Dom.
The bishop celebrated the solemn mass in the cathedral.
In the meaning 'Behörde' (authority / agency), 'Amt' (office / agency) is a very common component of compound nouns. These often name the specific task of the authority, for example 'Finanzamt' (tax office), 'Gesundheitsamt' (public health office), or 'Bürgeramt' (citizens' office).
Für die Steuererklärung ist das Finanzamt zuständig.
The tax office is responsible for the tax return.
When talking about a government office, certain prepositions are used: you go 'zum Amt' (to the office; accusative, direction) and then you are 'auf dem Amt' (at the office; dative, location).
Ich muss morgen zum Amt, um meinen Pass zu beantragen.
I have to go to the office tomorrow to apply for my passport.
When 'Amt' (office / position) means a function or position, it is often combined with formal verbs. Typical phrases are 'ein Amt antreten' (to take office), 'ein Amt innehaben' (to hold office), or 'von einem Amt zurücktreten' (to resign from an office).
Der Politiker trat nach dem Skandal von seinem Amt zurück.
The politician resigned from his office after the scandal.
The meaning 'Amtszeit' (term of office) is often recognizable from time expressions. When people say 'während seines Amtes' (during his term of office) or 'nach ihrem Amt' (after her term of office), the time period is meant, not the position itself.
Nach seinem Amt als Kanzler schrieb er seine Memoiren.
After his term of office as chancellor, he wrote his memoirs.
The religious meaning of 'Amt' (mass / service) is rare and is used almost only in a Catholic context. You can recognize it from words like 'Kirche' (church), 'Bischof' (bishop), 'Priester' (priest), or 'Gottesdienst' (church service).
Der Priester hielt ein feierliches Amt in der voll besetzten Kirche.
The priest held a solemn mass in the completely full church.
place / position
Stelle and Amt can both refer to a professional function. Stelle mainly emphasizes the specific job or employment, while Amt refers to a formal role with specific duties and powers. Stelle is suitable for an ordinary job, while Amt is more appropriate for an official function.
Nach der Wahl übernahm sie das Amt der Bürgermeisterin.
After the election, she took office as mayor.
Nach dem Studium fand sie eine Stelle in einem privaten Unternehmen.
After graduating, she found a job at a private company.
