work-related / official
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work-related
Related to one's job, office, or service; not private. It describes actions, objects, or matters that take place within the context of work or belong to it.
Ich bin morgen dienstlich in einer anderen Stadt unterwegs.
Tomorrow I'll be away on business in another city.
official
In a formal, official manner that corresponds to the character of an office or service.
Der Bescheid wurde ihm in einem dienstlich gehaltenen Schreiben mitgeteilt.
The notice was communicated to him in an official-style letter.
The adjective 'dienstlich' (work-related/official) is derived from the noun 'der Dienst' (work, service). The ending '-lich' turns it into an adjective meaning 'related to work/service' or 'professional.'
Bitte verwenden Sie für die Arbeit nur die dienstliche E-Mail-Adresse.
Please use only the work email address for work.
'Dienstlich' is very often used as an adverb to express that an action happens for professional reasons. It then usually appears in the middle field of the sentence.
Wir haben uns auf der Konferenz nur dienstlich unterhalten.
We only talked about work at the conference.
Common combinations are 'dienstlich unterwegs sein' (to be traveling/on the road for work), 'dienstlich verreisen' (to travel on business), or a 'dienstliche Angelegenheit' (work-related matter). These expressions emphasize the professional character of an activity.
Nächste Woche bin ich drei Tage dienstlich in Berlin.
Next week I'll be in Berlin for three days on business.
official
Offiziell and dienstlich can both describe an action undertaken for professional reasons. Offiziell emphasizes that someone is acting on behalf of an organization or in an official capacity. Dienstlich mainly means that the action is related to work or one's official duties and is not private.
Die Mitarbeiterin reist dienstlich zu einer Schulung nach Wien.
The employee is traveling to Vienna for work to attend a training course.
Die Ministerin reist offiziell im Auftrag der Regierung nach Wien.
The minister is traveling to Vienna officially on behalf of the government.
