portfolio / section / resort
Loading your saved state.
portfolio
A specific area of tasks or responsibility within a larger organization, especially in a government (ministry) or public authority.
Der Minister ist für das Ressort für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz zuständig.
The minister is responsible for the economic affairs and climate action portfolio.
The three meanings are clearly separated by context. If people are talking about government or public authorities, it means an area of responsibility. In journalism, it refers to a subject section. In the context of vacations and travel, it means a holiday resort.
Welcher Minister leitet das Finanzressort?
Which minister heads the finance portfolio?
The pronunciation helps distinguish the meanings. When it refers to an area of responsibility (politics, journalism), it is pronounced in a German-French way with stress on the second syllable: [ʁɛˈsoːɐ̯]. For the holiday resort, it is usually pronounced in an English-like way: [ʁiˈzɔʁt].
Sie ist für das Ressort [ʁɛˈsoːɐ̯] für Inneres verantwortlich.
She is responsible for the interior affairs portfolio [ʁɛˈsoːɐ̯].
In a political or administrative context, 'Ressort' is often used with certain verbs and prepositions. Typical phrases are 'ein Ressort leiten' (to head a portfolio), 'für ein Ressort zuständig sein' (to be responsible for a portfolio), or 'die Zusammenarbeit zwischen den Ressorts' (cooperation between the portfolios/departments).
Die Ministerin leitet ihr Ressort mit großer Kompetenz.
The minister heads her portfolio with great competence.
In the meaning 'Ferienanlage' (holiday resort), 'Ressort' is a modern Anglicism adopted directly from English. It is used almost exclusively in the tourism and travel industry.
Das All-inclusive-Ressort bietet viele Aktivitäten für Kinder an.
The all-inclusive resort offers many activities for children.
area / field
'der Bereich' and 'das Ressort' can both refer to a subject area or area of responsibility. 'Bereich' is the more general word and fits almost everywhere: in companies, schools, public authorities, or conversations about topics. 'Ressort' is more specific. It is used especially for areas of responsibility in a government, public authority, or editorial team, for example politics, sports, or culture. Learners may confuse the words because both mean a kind of department or responsibility. In everyday language, 'Bereich' is usually more natural; 'Ressort' tends to fit official or journalistic contexts.
In der Zeitung schreibt Maria jetzt für das Ressort Kultur.
At the newspaper, Maria now writes for the culture section.
Der neue Bereich für Beratung wurde im Sommer stark vergrößert.
The new counseling area was greatly expanded in the summer.