ministry
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ministry
The highest administrative authority of a state or federal state that is responsible for a specific area of politics and is led by a male or female minister.
Das Bundesministerium für Gesundheit ist für die Gesundheitspolitik zuständig.
The Federal Ministry of Health is responsible for health policy.
ministry building
The building in which such an authority is based.
Vor dem Ministerium versammelten sich die Demonstranten.
The demonstrators gathered in front of the ministry building.
The word is made up of 'Minister' (minister) and the Latin ending '-ium', which often denotes a place or an institution. A 'Ministerium' (ministry) is therefore literally the place or organization of a minister.
Ein Minister leitet ein Ministerium.
A minister leads a ministry.
The preposition often reveals the meaning. 'Im Ministerium arbeiten' (to work in the ministry) refers to the institution. 'Ins Ministerium gehen' (to go into the ministry) or 'vor dem Ministerium stehen' (to stand in front of the ministry building) refers to the building.
Sie arbeitet seit zehn Jahren im Ministerium für Bildung.
She has worked at the Ministry of Education for ten years.
To name the exact area of responsibility, the structure 'Ministerium für ...' (Ministry of/for ...) followed by a noun in the accusative is used. For federal authorities in Germany, 'Bundes-' (federal) often appears before it.
Das Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz hat neue Richtlinien erlassen.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action issued new guidelines.
In news reports and official texts, ministries are often abbreviated with acronyms, e.g. 'BMG' for 'das Bundesministerium für Gesundheit' (the Federal Ministry of Health). Knowing these abbreviations helps when reading German news.
Laut einer Mitteilung des BMG sollen die Impfzentren länger geöffnet bleiben.
According to a statement from the BMG, the vaccination centers are to remain open longer.
portfolio / section / resort
Both words can refer to the same area of responsibility in a political context. „Das Ministerium“ refers to the specific government authority. „Das Ressort“ focuses more on the area of responsibility and can also be used journalistically to refer to the responsible department or authority. When the institution itself is meant, „Ministerium“ is more precise.
Das Ministerium bereitete den Gesetzentwurf für den Verkehr vor.
The ministry prepared the draft transport bill.
Das Ressort bereitete den Gesetzentwurf für den Verkehr vor.
The department prepared the draft transport bill.
