die Besoldung
salary
The legally regulated salary for civil servants, judges, and soldiers.
EXAMPLE
Die Besoldung der Bundesbeamten wird regelmäßig angepasst.
The salary of federal civil servants is adjusted regularly.
die Besoldung
salary
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word contains the old term 'der Sold' (soldier's pay), which referred to payment for soldiers. 'Besoldung' (salary) today is the official, legally regulated pay for people in state service.
EXAMPLE
Historisch gesehen war der Sold eines einfachen Soldaten oft sehr niedrig.
Historically, the pay of an ordinary soldier was often very low.
Specific use
This word is used exclusively for the income of people in the public sector, especially civil servants, judges, and soldiers. It is not used for employees in the private sector.
EXAMPLE
Als verbeamteter Lehrer erhält man eine Besoldung nach einer festen Tabelle.
As a tenured teacher with civil servant status, you receive a salary according to a fixed scale.
Typical collocations
Common verbs used with 'Besoldung' (salary) are 'erhalten' (to receive), 'beziehen' (to draw/receive), 'anpassen' (to adjust), and 'erhöhen' (to increase). The genitive is often used to specify whose salary is meant.
EXAMPLE
Die Gewerkschaft fordert eine Erhöhung der Besoldung der Polizisten.
The union is demanding an increase in police officers' salaries.
Compare with
Besoldung vs Vergütung
remuneration / compensation / tempering
Vergütung is a general term for payment for work or services. Besoldung, by contrast, specifically refers to the legally regulated salary of civil servants, judges, and soldiers. For these professional groups, Besoldung is therefore the precise term.
Besoldung
Der Beamte erhält seine gesetzlich geregelte Besoldung.
The civil servant receives his legally regulated salary.
Vergütung
Die freie Übersetzerin erhält für ihren Auftrag eine feste Vergütung.
The freelance translator receives a fixed fee for her assignment.
In real life
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