crew / occupation / trim
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crew
The entire team of a vehicle, especially a ship, airplane, or spacecraft.
Die Besatzung des Flugzeugs bestand aus zwei Piloten und vier Flugbegleitern.
The crew of the airplane consisted of two pilots and four flight attendants.
occupation
The military control and administration of a foreign territory by troops.
Nach dem Krieg endete die Besatzung des Landes.
After the war, the occupation of the country ended.
trim
A decorative border or embellishment on a garment, for example made of fur or lace.
Der Mantel hatte eine elegante Besatzung aus Samt am Kragen.
The coat had elegant velvet trim on the collar.
'Besatzung' (crew/occupation/trim) comes from the verb 'besetzen' (to occupy, to staff, to trim). The different meanings of the verb—to take up a place, to control a territory, to decorate a garment—lead directly to the meanings of the noun: crew, military occupation, and clothing trim.
Die Demonstranten besetzten den Platz vor dem Rathaus.
The demonstrators occupied the square in front of the town hall.
The three main meanings are very different. The context always makes clear what is meant: vehicles have a 'Besatzung' (crew), countries have a 'Besatzung' (occupation), and clothing has a 'Besatzung' (trim).
Die gesamte Besatzung konnte das sinkende Schiff rechtzeitig verlassen.
The entire crew was able to leave the sinking ship in time.
In the meaning of 'crew', 'Besatzung' is almost always used in connection with vehicles. Typical terms are 'Flugzeugbesatzung' (aircraft crew), 'Schiffsbesatzung' (ship's crew), or the 'Besatzung eines Raumschiffs' (crew of a spacecraft).
Die Besatzung bereitete das Flugzeug für den Start vor.
The crew prepared the airplane for takeoff.
In a military or political context, 'Besatzung' (occupation) is often used with words like 'militärisch' (military) or in compounds like 'Besatzungsmacht' (occupying power) or 'Besatzungszone' (occupation zone).
Er forscht zur Geschichte der französischen Besatzungszone in Deutschland.
He researches the history of the French occupation zone in Germany.
team / crew
Besatzung specifically refers to all the people assigned to work on a ship or another vehicle. Mannschaft can also refer to this group, but depending on the context it can mean a smaller group with a specific task. Besatzung is therefore clearer when referring to the entire crew.
Die Besatzung des Schiffes bestand insgesamt aus dreißig Personen.
The ship’s crew consisted of thirty people in total.
Die Mannschaft für die Reparatur bestand aus fünf erfahrenen Seeleuten.
The team assigned to the repairs consisted of five experienced sailors.
