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.
body
An outdated or very elevated term for the human body as a whole.
In dem alten medizinischen Text wurde die menschliche Körperschaft detailliert beschrieben.
In the old medical text, the human body was described in detail.
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This meaning is outdated and is no longer used today for the human body.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.
society / company
Gesellschaft refers here to a company or an economic association. Körperschaft, by contrast, emphasizes that the organization is legally recognized and can independently have rights and obligations. In the case of a GmbH, Gesellschaft is suitable for the company, while Körperschaft refers to its legal status.
Die GmbH ist eine Körperschaft mit eigenen Rechten und Pflichten.
The GmbH is a corporation with its own rights and obligations.
Die Gesellschaft entwickelt neue Maschinen für kleine Betriebe.
The company develops new machines for small businesses.
