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.
federal agency
A Bundesanstalt and a Bundesbehörde are government institutions at the federal level. Bundesbehörde is the more general term for such an administrative office, while Bundesanstalt usually refers to a specifically named institution with particular responsibilities. Use Bundesbehörde in general, and Bundesanstalt when the specific name or area of responsibility is important.
Die Bundesbehörde prüft den Antrag aus allen Bundesländern.
The federal authority is reviewing the application from all the federal states.
Die Bundesanstalt für Arbeit informiert über freie Ausbildungsplätze.
The Federal Employment Agency provides information about available apprenticeship positions.
