prefecture
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prefecture
An administrative district in certain countries such as France, Japan, or ancient Rome, headed by a prefect.
Tokio ist in mehrere Bezirke unterteilt, aber die gesamte Metropolregion wird als eine Präfektur verwaltet.
Tokyo is divided into several districts, but the entire metropolitan region is administered as one prefecture.
The word 'Präfektur' (prefecture) is used for administrative units in other countries, such as France or Japan. For German administrative districts, other terms are used, such as 'Landkreis' (district) or 'Regierungsbezirk' (administrative region).
Während seines Urlaubs in Japan besuchte er die Präfektur Kyoto.
During his vacation in Japan, he visited Kyoto Prefecture.
The 'Präfektur' (prefecture) is the official district or official building of the 'Präfekt' (prefect). A prefect is the head of this administrative unit.
Der Präfekt hielt eine Rede vor dem Gebäude der Präfektur.
The prefect gave a speech in front of the prefecture building.
Whether the district or the building is meant can be recognized from context. If it is about a place you can visit, the building is meant, e.g. 'zur Präfektur gehen' (to go to the prefecture). If it is about a geographic region, the district is meant, e.g. 'in der Präfektur wohnen' (to live in the prefecture).
Er wohnt in der Präfektur Nagano.
He lives in Nagano Prefecture.
When the official building is meant, the word is often used with prepositions of movement or location. Typical phrases are 'zur Präfektur gehen' (to go to the prefecture), 'einen Antrag bei der Präfektur stellen' (to submit an application to the prefecture), or 'einen Termin in der Präfektur haben' (to have an appointment at the prefecture).
Für die Anmeldung musste sie persönlich zur Präfektur.
For the registration, she had to go to the prefecture in person.
office / agency
'das Amt' and 'die Präfektur' can both be connected with an official administrative office. 'Amt' is a general German word for a public authority or an official function. 'Präfektur' is more specific: in certain countries, it means an administrative district or the authority or building of a prefect. The words can be confused because a prefecture has administrative tasks like an 'Amt'. In normal everyday German, however, people are more likely to say 'Amt'. 'Präfektur' fits when talking about countries such as France or Japan, or about history.
In Japan besuchte Maria die Präfektur, um Informationen über die Region zu bekommen.
In Japan, Maria visited the prefecture to get information about the region.
Nach dem Umzug meldet sich Tom beim Amt in seiner neuen Stadt an.
After moving, Tom registers at the public office in his new city.