meeting / review
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meeting
A meeting of several people in which a specific topic or problem is discussed and often a decision is made.
Die Besprechung mit dem Kunden dauerte über zwei Stunden.
The meeting with the client lasted over two hours.
'Die Besprechung' (the meeting/review) is derived from the verb 'besprechen' (to discuss). The ending '-ung' is a very common way to form a feminine noun from a verb.
Nach der Besprechung des Problems waren alle erleichtert.
After the discussion of the problem, everyone was relieved.
You can recognize the difference between the meanings from the context. If it is about work, projects, or teams, it means a meeting. If it is about books, films, or art, it means a review.
Die Besprechung des neuen Marketingplans findet morgen statt.
The meeting about the new marketing plan takes place tomorrow.
For the meaning 'Treffen' (meeting), typical verbs are: 'eine Besprechung haben' (to have a meeting), 'in einer Besprechung sein' (to be in a meeting), 'eine Besprechung leiten' (to lead a meeting), or 'eine Besprechung ansetzen' (to schedule a meeting).
Ich kann gerade nicht telefonieren, ich bin in einer Besprechung.
I can't talk on the phone right now; I'm in a meeting.
For the meaning 'Kritik' (review/critique), typical verbs are: 'eine Besprechung schreiben' (to write a review), 'eine Besprechung lesen' (to read a review), or 'eine (gute/schlechte) Besprechung bekommen' (to get a good/bad review).
Der Film hat in allen großen Zeitungen gute Besprechungen bekommen.
The film received good reviews in all the major newspapers.
criticism / review
'die Kritik' and 'die Besprechung' can both mean a review of a book, film, or play. In this sense, it is about describing and evaluating a work. 'die Kritik' sounds more like an expert assessment and can also clearly point out negative aspects. 'die Besprechung' can also be a review, but it very often also means a meeting where people talk about a topic. That is why the words can be confused: a 'Filmkritik' (film review) is not a meeting, and a 'Besprechung im Büro' (meeting at the office) is not a review.
Nach der Besprechung im Büro wussten alle, wer die Aufgabe übernimmt.
After the meeting at the office, everyone knew who would take on the task.
Die Kritik zum neuen Film war streng, aber gut begründet.
The review of the new film was strict but well reasoned.