corporation / body
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corporation
A legally recognized association of people or things into an organization that can act as an independent legal entity with rights and obligations.
Eine Universität ist in der Regel eine Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts.
A university is usually a corporation under public law.
The word is made up of 'Körper' (body) and the ending '-schaft' (-ship/-hood). The ending '-schaft' often forms nouns that describe a community or a quality, here meaning a kind of 'organized body.'
Die Stadt ist eine kommunale Körperschaft mit eigener Verwaltung.
The city is a municipal corporation with its own administration.
The context makes the meaning clear. In legal, political, or administrative texts, it almost always refers to the legal organization. In very old or literary texts, it can refer to the human body.
Als Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts hat die Kammer besondere Befugnisse.
As a corporation under public law, the chamber has special powers.
In the legal meaning, 'Körperschaft' (corporation) is a technical term. It is used mainly in legal and administrative language and is very rare in everyday speech.
Der Verein hat den Status einer gemeinnützigen Körperschaft beantragt.
The association applied for the status of a nonprofit corporation.
A very common fixed expression is 'Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts' (corporation under public law). This refers to organizations with state-related duties, such as universities, churches, or broadcasting institutions.
Die Industrie- und Handelskammer ist eine Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts.
The Chamber of Industry and Commerce is a corporation under public law.
This meaning is outdated and is no longer used today for the human body. It is found almost only in historical, medical, or very poetic texts.
In dem Gedicht wird die vergängliche Körperschaft des Menschen beklagt.
In the poem, the transitory body of human beings is lamented.
person
'die Person' and 'die Körperschaft' can both occur in a legal context. There, 'Person' does not always mean an individual human being, but can also mean a legal person, for example an association or a company. 'Körperschaft' is more precise: it refers to a legally recognized organization that can itself have rights and obligations. Learners may confuse the words because a 'Körperschaft' can be a type of legal person. In everyday language, however, you almost always say 'Person' for a human being; 'Körperschaft' is more suitable in law, administration, or official texts.
Die Stadt ist eine Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts.
The city is a corporation under public law.
Der Verein ist vor dem Gesetz eine juristische Person.
The association is a legal person before the law.