die Bestellung
order
A request to a company to deliver certain goods or provide a service, usually in exchange for payment.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe online eine Bestellung für neue Bücher aufgegeben.
I placed an order online for new books.
die Bestellung
order / reservation
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Meanings
die Bestellung
reservation
A reservation for a place, e.g. a table in a restaurant or an admission ticket.
EXAMPLE
Haben Sie eine Bestellung auf den Namen Schmidt?
Do you have a reservation under the name Schmidt?
die Bestellung
cultivation
In agriculture, the working of the soil, especially the sowing of seeds.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Regen war der Boden ideal für die Bestellung der Felder.
After the rain, the soil was ideal for the cultivation of the fields.
die Bestellung
appointment
The formal appointment of a person to an office or official position. This meaning is rather formal or old-fashioned.
EXAMPLE
Die Bestellung des neuen Vorstandsmitglieds wurde in der Presse bekannt gegeben.
The appointment of the new board member was announced in the press.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Bestellung' (the order/reservation) is the noun related to the verb 'bestellen' (to order/reserve). The ending '-ung' turns the action into a feminine noun that refers to the order or the process itself.
EXAMPLE
Die Bestätigung Ihrer Bestellung erhalten Sie per E-Mail.
You will receive confirmation of your order by email.
Context clue
The many meanings can be distinguished well by context: If it is about goods, it is a purchase order. If it is about a restaurant, it is a reservation. If it is about fields, it is agriculture. If it is about an office, it is an appointment.
EXAMPLE
Meine Bestellung von Kleidung ist noch nicht angekommen.
My order of clothing has not arrived yet.
Typical verbs
In connection with buying goods, the verbs 'aufgeben' (to place, as in placing an order), 'stornieren' (to cancel), or 'erhalten' (to receive) are often used.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte meine Bestellung bitte stornieren.
I would like to cancel my order, please.
In a restaurant
When you call a restaurant or hotel to reserve a table or a room, you can use 'Bestellung' (reservation). A typical question is: 'Haben Sie eine Bestellung auf den Namen Meier?' (Do you have a reservation under the name Meier?)
EXAMPLE
Guten Abend, ich habe eine Bestellung für zwei Personen für 19 Uhr.
Good evening, I have a reservation for two people for 7 p.m.
Agricultural terminology
This meaning is very specific and is used almost only in agriculture. It describes work in the field, especially sowing.
EXAMPLE
Die Bestellung des Ackers muss vor dem ersten Frost abgeschlossen sein.
The cultivation of the field must be completed before the first frost.
Formal usage
Appointment to an office is referred to as 'Bestellung' (appointment). This usage is limited to formal, official, and legal contexts.
EXAMPLE
Die Bestellung zum Geschäftsführer erfolgt durch den Aufsichtsrat.
The appointment as managing director is carried out by the supervisory board.
Compare with
Bestellung vs Auftrag
assignment / order / mission
Auftrag and Bestellung can both refer to a business arrangement for the delivery of goods or the provision of a service. Bestellung emphasizes what a customer requests. Auftrag can also refer to this request, but it often focuses more on the work or service that the company is expected to take on and carry out.
Bestellung
Die Werkstatt erhielt die Bestellung über zwölf neue Fenster für das Haus.
The workshop received an order for twelve new windows for the house.
Auftrag
Die Werkstatt erhielt den Auftrag, alle Fenster des Hauses zu reparieren.
The workshop was commissioned to repair all the windows in the house.
In real life
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