der Handel
trade
The buying and selling of goods and services; the economic activity of exchanging goods.
EXAMPLE
Der Online-Handel hat in den letzten Jahren stark zugenommen.
Online trade has increased sharply in recent years.
der Handel
trade
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Meanings
im Handel
available in stores
Available for customers to buy in shops.
EXAMPLE
Das neue Buch ist ab nächster Woche im Handel erhältlich.
The new book will be available in stores starting next week.
der Handel
deal
A single business transaction or agreement; a deal.
EXAMPLE
Er hat einen guten Handel gemacht und das gebrauchte Fahrrad sehr günstig bekommen.
He made a good deal and got the used bicycle very cheaply.
der Handel
dispute / affair
Colloquial and somewhat old-fashioned for a dispute, an argument, or an annoying matter.
EXAMPLE
Ich will mit diesem ganzen Handel nichts mehr zu tun haben.
I don't want to have anything more to do with this whole affair.
Usage tips
Word family
'Der Handel' (trade) is the noun related to the verb 'handeln' (to trade). A person who engages in trade is 'der Händler' (the dealer/merchant) or 'die Händlerin' (the female dealer/merchant).
EXAMPLE
Dieser Händler handelt mit seltenen Gewürzen aus aller Welt.
This dealer trades in rare spices from all over the world.
Common in compounds
The word 'Handel' (trade) is a very productive component of compound nouns related to the economy. Examples are 'Einzelhandel' (retail), 'Großhandel' (wholesale), or 'Online-Handel' (online trade).
EXAMPLE
Der Einzelhandel leidet unter der Konkurrenz aus dem Internet.
Retail is suffering from competition from the internet.
Fixed expression: Handel treiben
A fixed and somewhat more formal expression for 'handeln' (to trade) is 'Handel treiben' (to engage in trade). It is often used with the preposition 'mit' (with) to name the goods or the partners.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma treibt seit vielen Jahren Handel mit asiatischen Ländern.
The company has been trading with Asian countries for many years.
Fixed expression: im Handel
The phrase 'im Handel' (available in stores/in trade) is a fixed expression and means 'to buy in shops'. It is usually combined with verbs such as 'sein' (to be), 'erhältlich sein' (to be available), or 'finden' (to find).
EXAMPLE
Das Produkt ist ab sofort überall im Handel erhältlich.
The product is now available in stores everywhere.
Colloquial meaning
In the meaning 'Streit' (dispute) or 'lästige Angelegenheit' (annoying matter), 'Handel' is colloquial and rather rarely used today. You may still sometimes find it in spoken language.
EXAMPLE
Wegen einer Kleinigkeit hatten die beiden einen furchtbaren Handel.
Because of a small matter, the two of them had a terrible dispute.
Compare with
Handel vs Markt
market
Markt refers to the economic system or environment in which supply and demand meet. Handel, by contrast, refers to the activity of buying and selling. Markt is therefore suitable when talking about prices and demand, while Handel is used for the activity of exchanging or selling goods.
Handel
Der Handel mit Kaffee verbindet Produzenten und Käufer.
The coffee trade connects producers and buyers.
Markt
Auf dem Markt bestimmen Angebot und Nachfrage den Preis von Kaffee.
On the market, supply and demand determine the price of coffee.
In real life
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