die Kompanie
company
A military unit that usually consists of several platoons and is part of a battalion.
EXAMPLE
Der Hauptmann befahl seiner Kompanie, für die Übung anzutreten.
The captain ordered his company to fall in for the exercise.
die Kompanie
company
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Meanings
die Kompanie
company
A group of artists, especially dancers or actors, who work and perform together as an ensemble.
EXAMPLE
Die berühmte Ballett-Kompanie gastiert nächsten Monat in der städtischen Oper.
The famous ballet company will be performing at the municipal opera house next month.
Usage tips
False friend
Careful: 'die Kompanie' is not a general word for a firm or business like the English 'company.' It refers only to certain groups, especially in the military or in the arts.
EXAMPLE
Er arbeitet für eine große deutsche Firma, nicht für eine Kompanie.
He works for a large German firm, not for a company in the sense of 'Kompanie.'
Context clue
Which type of group is meant becomes immediately clear from the context. Words like 'Soldaten' (soldiers) or 'Hauptmann' (captain) point to the military unit, while 'Tanz' (dance), 'Theater' (theater), or 'Ballett' (ballet) point to the artistic ensemble.
EXAMPLE
Die gesamte Kompanie musste um fünf Uhr morgens antreten.
The entire company had to fall in at five o'clock in the morning.
Typical compounds
In the artistic field, 'Kompanie' (company) is very often used as part of compound nouns, for example 'Tanzkompanie' (dance company), 'Theaterkompanie' (theater company), or 'Ballettkompanie' (ballet company).
EXAMPLE
Die städtische Theaterkompanie sucht neue Schauspieler.
The municipal theater company is looking for new actors.
Compare with
Kompanie vs Truppe
troop / troupe
Truppe can refer generally to soldiers or a military unit. Kompanie, by contrast, means a specific, firmly organized military unit. If you are referring to soldiers in general, Truppe is appropriate; if you mean the exact formation, Kompanie is more precise.
Kompanie
Die Kompanie bezog nach dem Marsch ihr neues Quartier.
The company took up its new quarters after the march.
Truppe
Die Truppe rückte am frühen Morgen in das Gebiet vor.
The troops advanced into the area early in the morning.
In real life
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