bureaucracy
Loading your saved state.
bureaucracy
The entire administrative system of a state or large organization, characterized by fixed rules, responsibilities, and a hierarchical structure. The term is often used negatively for an administrative apparatus perceived as cumbersome and inefficient.
Für den Bauantrag muss man sich durch die ganze Bürokratie kämpfen.
For the building application, you have to fight your way through all the bureaucracy.
The word is a compound of 'Büro' (office, administration) and the ending '-kratie' (-cracy), which comes from the Greek word for 'rule'. So 'Bürokratie' (bureaucracy) literally means 'rule by administration'.
Die Demokratie ist eine Staatsform, in der die Macht vom Volk ausgeht.
Democracy is a form of government in which power comes from the people.
The word 'Bürokratie' (bureaucracy) is very often used with a negative meaning. It then describes an administration that is perceived as slow, complicated, and inefficient.
Wegen der übermäßigen Bürokratie verzögert sich das Bauprojekt um Monate.
Because of excessive bureaucracy, the construction project is being delayed by months.
Common expressions are 'Bürokratie abbauen' (to reduce bureaucracy, i.e. simplify rules) and 'bürokratische Hürden' (bureaucratic hurdles), which means complicated regulations or forms.
Die neue Regierung will die Bürokratie für kleine Unternehmen abbauen.
The new government wants to reduce bureaucracy for small businesses.
If the context is about 'Stellen' (positions), 'Beamte' (civil servants), or 'Personal' (staff), 'Bürokratie' (bureaucracy) means all administrative employees. If it is about 'Regeln' (rules), 'Formulare' (forms), or 'Prozesse' (processes), it means the system.
Die Bürokratie in diesem Ministerium gilt als sehr effizient.
The bureaucracy in this ministry is considered very efficient.
administration / management
'die Verwaltung' and 'die Bürokratie' can both refer to the system of public authorities or large organizations. 'die Verwaltung' is usually neutral and describes the tasks or authorities that organize and carry things out. 'die Bürokratie' emphasizes fixed rules, responsibilities, and many steps. The word often sounds negative when something seems slow or cumbersome. The words can be confused because bureaucracy can be part of, or a type of, administration. If you want to speak neutrally, 'Verwaltung' is usually safer; when criticizing something, 'Bürokratie' often fits.
Die Bürokratie kostet uns heute viel Zeit, weil wir drei Formulare ausfüllen müssen.
The bureaucracy is costing us a lot of time today because we have to fill out three forms.
Die Verwaltung der Stadt bearbeitet den Antrag innerhalb von zwei Wochen.
The city administration processes the application within two weeks.