federal authority
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federal authority
A government institution or administrative office that is responsible at the federal level, meaning for the entire state, and not just for an individual federal state.
Das Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt ist eine Bundesbehörde, die für die Zulassung von Fahrzeugen zuständig ist.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority is a federal authority responsible for the registration of vehicles.
The word consists of 'Bund' (federation/federal government), in the form 'Bundes-', and 'Behörde' (authority/agency). It refers to an authority responsible for the entire federation, that is, the German state as a whole. The '-es-' is a linking sound that connects the two parts of the word.
Das Umweltbundesamt ist eine wichtige Bundesbehörde für den Umweltschutz.
The Federal Environment Agency is an important federal authority for environmental protection.
The word element 'Bundes-' is very productive and always signals a connection to Germany's federal level. When you see 'Bundes-', you know it is about a national institution, e.g. 'Bundestag' (Federal Parliament), 'Bundeskanzler' (Federal Chancellor), 'Bundespolizei' (Federal Police).
Der Bundesrechnungshof prüft die Finanzen des Bundes.
The Federal Court of Auditors audits the finances of the federal government.
Common formulations are that a federal authority is 'für etwas zuständig' (responsible for something), that someone 'bei einer Bundesbehörde arbeitet' (works at a federal authority), or that someone 'sich an eine Bundesbehörde wendet' (contacts a federal authority).
Für die Ausstellung meines neuen Passes musste ich mich nicht an eine Bundesbehörde wenden.
For the issuing of my new passport, I did not have to contact a federal authority.
office / agency
'das Amt' and 'die Bundesbehörde' can both mean a government administrative office. 'Amt' is more general and can be used at different levels, for example in a city or municipality. 'Bundesbehörde' is more specific: it belongs to the federal level and is responsible for the whole country, not just for a federal state or a city. The words can be confused because both refer to authorities. If the exact government level is important, 'Bundesbehörde' is more appropriate. If you simply mean an administrative office, 'Amt' is often enough.
Die Bundesbehörde veröffentlicht neue Regeln für die Einreise.
The federal authority publishes new rules for entering the country.
Vor der Reise fragt Lisa beim Amt nach, welche Dokumente sie braucht.
Before the trip, Lisa asks the office which documents she needs.