business / trade
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business
An independent, planned, and long-term economic activity with the intention of making a profit. This includes trade, crafts, and industry.
Wer sich selbstständig machen will, muss ein Gewerbe anmelden.
Anyone who wants to become self-employed must register a business.
'Gewerbe' is a term from administration and business. It refers to an officially registered, independent activity. It is not a general word for 'Arbeit' (work) or 'Beruf' (profession/job).
Für seine Tätigkeit als freier Berater musste er kein Gewerbe anmelden.
For his work as a freelance consultant, he did not have to register a business.
The word 'Gewerbe' is often part of compound nouns related to business and administration. Examples are 'Gewerbegebiet' (commercial area), 'Gewerbesteuer' (trade tax), and 'Gewerbeschein' (business license).
Die Firma hat ihren Sitz in einem großen Gewerbegebiet am Stadtrand.
The company is based in a large commercial area on the outskirts of the city.
In connection with founding a company, fixed expressions are very common. The most important ones are 'ein Gewerbe anmelden' (to register a business), 'ein Gewerbe abmelden' (to deregister a business), and 'ein Gewerbe betreiben' (to run a business).
Er betreibt seit fünf Jahren ein kleines Gewerbe im Handwerksbereich.
He has been running a small business in the crafts sector for five years.
company / undertaking
'das Unternehmen' and 'das Gewerbe' both belong to the area of business and work. An 'Unternehmen' is a specific organization, for example a company with employees, products, or services. 'Gewerbe' refers more to the independent economic activity itself, often also in a legal or administrative context. The words are easy to confuse because both have to do with earning money and businesses. If you are talking about a specific company, 'Unternehmen' is more natural. If it is about the registered activity or the type of self-employed work, 'Gewerbe' fits better.
Karim muss sein Gewerbe anmelden, bevor er Kunden offiziell Rechnungen schreibt.
Karim has to register his business before he officially writes invoices to customers.
Mein Freund arbeitet seit drei Jahren in einem großen Unternehmen.
My friend has been working at a large company for three years.