der Betrieb
business / company
A business, company, or production facility where people work.
EXAMPLE
Der Betrieb hat über 500 Mitarbeiter und exportiert in die ganze Welt.
The company has over 500 employees and exports all over the world.
der Betrieb
business / operation
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Meanings
der Betrieb
operation
The state in which a machine, facility, or system is functioning and in use; ongoing operation.
EXAMPLE
Die neue U-Bahn-Linie nimmt nächste Woche den Betrieb auf.
The new subway line will begin operation next week.
der Betrieb
activity / bustle
Colloquial for a lot of activity, movement, or noise in a place; lively bustle.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Bahnhof war heute Morgen ein unglaublicher Betrieb.
There was an incredible amount of activity at the train station this morning.
außer Betrieb
out of order
A fixed expression meaning that something, such as a machine or facility, is not working or is temporarily switched off.
EXAMPLE
Der Fahrstuhl ist leider schon wieder außer Betrieb.
Unfortunately, the elevator is out of order again.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Betrieb' (business / operation) is closely related to the verb 'betreiben' (to operate / to run), which means 'to keep something running' or 'to manage'. This idea of active operation appears in all meanings, from running a company to a machine operating.
EXAMPLE
Er betreibt ein kleines Café in der Innenstadt.
He runs a small café in the city center.
Typical collocations
Fixed expressions are used to describe the start or end of a facility's operation. You say 'etwas in Betrieb nehmen' (to put something into operation) or 'den Betrieb einstellen' (to cease operations).
EXAMPLE
Die neue Maschine wird morgen in Betrieb genommen.
The new machine will be put into operation tomorrow.
Register
In the meaning 'viel los' (a lot going on) or 'Trubel' (hustle and bustle), 'Betrieb' (activity / bustle) is colloquial. It is used to describe a lively, sometimes chaotic atmosphere.
EXAMPLE
Am ersten Tag des Schlussverkaufs war in der Stadt ein riesiger Betrieb.
On the first day of the sale, there was a huge amount of activity in the city.
Fixed expression
The expression 'außer Betrieb' (out of order) is always used with the verb 'sein' (to be). It describes that a machine or service is temporarily not working.
EXAMPLE
Die Rolltreppe zum Bahnsteig ist schon wieder außer Betrieb.
The escalator to the platform is out of order again.
Compare with
UnternehmenEinsatzFirmaWerkFunktionVerkehrGeschäftHoftreibenFabrikGewerbeLadenBauernhofGetriebeTrubelEtablissement
Betrieb vs Unternehmen
company / undertaking
Both das Unternehmen and der Betrieb can refer to an economic organization. Unternehmen tends to refer to the economic entity as a whole, while Betrieb can place more emphasis on the specific workplace or production facility. Unternehmen is suitable for the entire organization; for the unit where the work is carried out, Betrieb is often used.
Betrieb
In diesem Betrieb werden die Möbel für das Unternehmen hergestellt.
The furniture for the company is produced at this facility.
Unternehmen
Das Unternehmen besitzt drei Fabriken und verkauft seine Möbel europaweit.
The company owns three factories and sells its furniture throughout Europe.
In real life
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