das Büro
office
A room or group of rooms where administrative or desk work is done. It is the workplace for many employees.
EXAMPLE
Ich arbeite von neun bis fünf im Büro.
I work from nine to five in the office.
das Büro
office / bureau
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Meanings
das Büro
office / bureau
An organization, agency, or department that offers specific services or manages information.
EXAMPLE
Das Touristenbüro gibt Auskunft über Sehenswürdigkeiten in der Region.
The tourist office provides information about sights in the region.
das Büro
writing desk
A piece of furniture, similar to a desk, often with drawers and compartments for writing and storing documents. This meaning is rarer today and more historical.
EXAMPLE
In der Ecke des Zimmers stand ein altes, kunstvoll verziertes Büro aus Eichenholz.
In the corner of the room stood an old, elaborately decorated oak writing desk.
Usage tips
Movement and location
For the meaning 'Arbeitsraum' (work space / office), the preposition is important. Movement to this place is expressed with 'ins Büro' (to the office, accusative), while being there requires 'im Büro' (in the office, dative).
EXAMPLE
Morgens fahre ich mit dem Bus ins Büro.
In the morning, I take the bus to the office.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about everyday work, the room is usually meant. If 'Büro' (office / bureau) is part of a name like 'Reisebüro' (travel agency) or 'Pressebüro' (press office), an agency is meant.
EXAMPLE
Mein Schreibtisch steht direkt am Fenster im Büro.
My desk is right by the window in the office.
Typical collocations
In connection with the workplace, 'Büro' (office) is often combined with verbs like 'arbeiten' (to work), 'anrufen' (to call), or 'sein' (to be). Fixed expressions like 'ein Büro leiten' (to run an office) or 'ein Büro mieten' (to rent an office) are also common.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mich später im Büro anrufen?
Can you call me later at the office?
Register: outdated meaning
The meaning of 'Büro' (writing desk) as a piece of furniture is very rare today and is considered outdated. It is found almost only in historical texts or in descriptions of antiques.
EXAMPLE
Der alte Brief wurde in der Schublade eines antiken Büros gefunden.
The old letter was found in the drawer of an antique writing desk.
Compare with
Büro vs Amt
office / agency
Amt is a public office responsible for specific administrative tasks. Büro refers here to the room where the employees work. Use Amt for the responsible institution and Büro for the specific workplace.
Büro
Der Antrag der Familie liegt im Büro der Sachbearbeiterin.
The family’s application is in the caseworker’s office.
Amt
Das zuständige Amt prüft den Antrag der Familie.
The responsible office is reviewing the family’s application.
In real life
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