institution
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institution
An organization or establishment that serves a specific public, social, or political purpose, such as a university, a bank, or a court.
Das Rote Kreuz ist eine wichtige humanitäre Institution.
The Red Cross is an important humanitarian institution.
Nouns that end in '-tion' often come from Latin and are almost always feminine in German. When you see this ending, you can use the article 'die' with a high degree of certainty.
Die Organisation einer Konferenz ist eine große Aufgabe.
Organizing a conference is a big task.
The meanings are easy to distinguish from context: if people are talking about an organization with rules and a purpose, it means an establishment or institution. If they are talking about a person or thing that is very well known and established, the word is being used metaphorically.
Die Universität ist eine wichtige Bildungsinstitution.
The university is an important educational institution.
When a person or thing is described as an 'Institution' (institution), this usually happens with the verbs 'sein' (to be) or 'werden' (to become). The person or thing is already an institution or is developing into one.
Nach 50 Jahren als Wirtin ist sie in diesem Dorf eine Institution.
After 50 years as an innkeeper, she is an institution in this village.
organization
'Organisation' and 'Institution' can both mean a permanent establishment or group. 'Organisation' is more general and can be used for many different kinds of groups, including small associations or private aid groups. 'Institution' sounds more official and is especially suitable for establishments with a public, social, or political purpose, for example a university, court, or bank. Learners may confuse the words because many institutions are also organizations. But not every organization is an institution.
Die Universität ist eine wichtige Institution in der Stadt.
The university is an important institution in the city.
Nach der Arbeit wird ihr Verein eine neue Organisation für Umweltschutz gründen.
After work, her association will found a new organization for environmental protection.