department
das Department, die Departments
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department
An Anglicism used attributively (like an adjective before a noun) to express belonging to a department in an organization, university, or government agency based on the Anglo-American model.
Die Department-Leiter treffen sich wöchentlich zur Koordination.
The department heads meet weekly for coordination.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Departments |
| genitive | des Departments |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Department | die Departments |
| accusative | das Department | die Departments |
| dative | dem Department | den Departments |
| genitive | des Departments | der Departments |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word 'Department' (department) is used like the first part of a compound directly before a noun. It is an Anglicism and is not declined in German, so it does not get an adjective ending.
Die Entscheidung wurde auf Department-Ebene getroffen.
The decision was made at department level.
Do not try to inflect 'Department' (department) like a normal German adjective. Forms like 'der Departmente Leiter' or 'ein Departmentes Meeting' are incorrect.
Der neue Department-Chef stellt sich heute vor.
The new department head is introducing himself today.
This use is typical of language used at universities, international companies, or organizations that have an Anglo-American structure. In everyday language, the word 'Abteilung' (department) is usually used instead.
An unserer Universität ist jedes Department für seine eigenen Kurse verantwortlich.
At our university, each department is responsible for its own courses.
department
Both words can refer to an organizational unit in a company, university, or government agency. Abteilung is the general German term, while Department is used mainly in organizational and university structures influenced by the Anglo-American model. For an ordinary German organizational term, Abteilung is usually the better fit.
Das Department für Kundenservice beantwortet die Anfragen.
The customer service department answers the inquiries.
Die Abteilung für Kundenservice beantwortet die Anfragen.
The customer service department answers the inquiries.
