municipal administration
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municipal administration
The authority or institution responsible for organizing and administering the affairs of a municipality.
Für den neuen Pass müssen Sie sich an die Gemeindeverwaltung wenden.
For the new passport, you need to contact the municipal administration.
The word is composed of three parts: 'Gemeinde' (municipality), the linking 's', and 'Verwaltung' (administration). So it literally describes the administration of a municipality.
Die Öffnungszeiten der Gemeindeverwaltung haben sich geändert.
The opening hours of the municipal administration have changed.
To describe movement, you use 'zur Gemeindeverwaltung gehen' (to go to the municipal administration). If you are already there, you say 'in der' (in the) or 'bei der Gemeindeverwaltung sein' (to be at the municipal administration).
Ich muss morgen zur Gemeindeverwaltung, um meinen Wohnsitz anzumelden.
I have to go to the municipal administration tomorrow to register my residence.
When referring to the authority, the word is often combined with verbs that describe an administrative action. Typical phrases are: 'etwas bei der Gemeindeverwaltung beantragen' (to apply for something at the municipal administration) or 'sich an die Gemeindeverwaltung wenden' (to contact the municipal administration).
Einen neuen Personalausweis können Sie bei der Gemeindeverwaltung beantragen.
You can apply for a new identity card at the municipal administration.
You can tell from the context whether the building or the institution is meant. Verbs of location like 'sich befinden' (to be located) or prepositions like 'neben' (next to) point to the building. Verbs of function like 'zuständig sein' (to be responsible) point to the institution.
Die neue Gemeindeverwaltung wurde erst letztes Jahr gebaut.
The new municipal office was only built last year.
office / agency
'das Amt' and 'die Gemeindeverwaltung' can both mean a public office or agency that you go to for forms, applications, or other administrative matters. 'Amt' is the more general term and can refer to many different authorities. 'Gemeindeverwaltung' is more specific: it is the administration of a municipality and can also mean the building where this administration works. The words can be confused because in everyday life people often say they have to go 'zum Amt' (to the office), even when they specifically mean the municipal administration. If the municipality is responsible, 'Gemeindeverwaltung' is more precise.
In der Gemeindeverwaltung habe ich eine Meldebescheinigung beantragt.
I applied for a registration certificate at the municipal administration.
Am Montag muss ich zum Amt, weil mein Ausweis abläuft.
On Monday I have to go to the office because my ID is expiring.