bureaucratic
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bureaucratic
In a way characterized by complicated rules, many forms, and slow, cumbersome processes. This word is usually used with a negative evaluation of inefficiency.
Der Antrag für die Baugenehmigung war ein unglaublich bürokratischer Aufwand.
The application for the building permit involved an unbelievably bureaucratic effort.
The adjective 'bürokratisch' (bureaucratic) is derived from the noun 'die Bürokratie' (bureaucracy). This describes an administrative system with fixed rules and offices, literally a 'rule of offices'.
Die Bürokratie in großen Unternehmen kann Entscheidungen verlangsamen.
Bureaucracy in large companies can slow down decisions.
In normal usage, 'bürokratisch' (bureaucratic) almost always has a negative connotation. It describes procedures that are perceived as unnecessarily complicated, slow, and inefficient.
Es war ein langer, bürokratischer Prozess, bis wir die Genehmigung bekamen.
It was a long, bureaucratic process before we got the permit.
Common combinations with a negative meaning are 'bürokratischer Aufwand' (bureaucratic effort), 'bürokratische Hürden' (bureaucratic hurdles), or 'ein bürokratischer Akt' (a bureaucratic act/procedure). These expressions convey frustration with a process.
Für kleine Firmen stellen die vielen Formulare eine große bürokratische Hürde dar.
For small companies, the many forms represent a major bureaucratic hurdle.
In specialist texts, for example from legal or administrative studies, 'bürokratisch' (bureaucratic/administrative) can also be used neutrally. It then simply means 'relating to administration'. The formal context usually makes it clear that no criticism is intended.
Die Untersuchung beschreibt die bürokratischen Strukturen des Ministeriums.
The study describes the administrative structures of the ministry.
complicated
'kompliziert' and 'bürokratisch' can both describe something as cumbersome or difficult to deal with. 'kompliziert' is more general: a task, a plan, or a device can be kompliziert. 'bürokratisch' is especially used for administration, authorities, large companies, or rules with many forms and slow procedures. It often sounds negative when the process seems unnecessarily difficult. So you can say: not everything that is kompliziert is bürokratisch, but bureaucratic procedures are often complicated.
Für die neue Parkkarte musste sie ein bürokratisches Formular ausfüllen.
For the new parking permit, she had to fill out a bureaucratic form.
Noah findet den Fahrplan im Bus kompliziert, weil es so viele Linien gibt.
Noah finds the bus timetable complicated because there are so many routes.