governorate
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governorate
A large administrative district, especially in a historical or colonial context (e.g., in the Russian Empire), administered by a governor.
Das Gouvernement Kiew war eine wichtige Verwaltungseinheit im Russischen Reich.
The Kiev Governorate was an important administrative unit in the Russian Empire.
'Das Gouvernement' (governorate) is derived directly from 'der Gouverneur' (the governor). A governor is the head or administrator of such a district. If you know the word 'Gouverneur' (governor), the meaning is easy to infer.
Der Gouverneur war für die Verwaltung der gesamten Region verantwortlich.
The governor was responsible for the administration of the entire region.
This word is used almost exclusively in a historical or foreign context, for example for administrative units in the former Russian Empire or in colonies. It is not a term for modern German administration.
In der Geschichtsvorlesung sprachen wir über die Gouvernements in Sibirien.
In the history lecture, we talked about the governorates in Siberia.
The meaning 'Verwaltungsbezirk' (administrative district) (m01) is often recognizable from geographical names or prepositions of place such as 'in' (in). The meaning 'Amt' (office) or 'Behörde' (authority) (m02) is often used with verbs such as 'übernehmen' (to take over), 'leiten' (to lead), or 'berufen werden' (to be appointed).
Seine Familie lebte im Gouvernement Warschau.
His family lived in the Warsaw Governorate.
office / agency
'das Amt' and 'das Gouvernement' can both have to do with administration and official power. 'Amt' is much more general in German: it can be a public office or agency, for example a 'Bürgeramt' (citizens' office), or an official position. 'Gouvernement' is more specific and usually sounds historical or technical. It often means a large administrative district or the authority of a governor. Learners may confuse the words because 'Gouvernement' can also mean the office of a governor. In everyday language, however, 'Amt' is almost always more natural; 'Gouvernement' fits better in texts about history, the administration of certain countries, or the colonial period.
Im Geschichtsbuch las die Klasse über ein Gouvernement im alten Russischen Reich.
In the history book, the class read about a governorate in the old Russian Empire.
Morgen muss ich zum Amt, weil ich meinen neuen Ausweis abholen möchte.
Tomorrow I have to go to the public office because I want to pick up my new ID card.