secretary / writing desk
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secretary
A male person whose job is to carry out administrative and organizational tasks for a person or a department, such as correspondence, scheduling, and record-keeping.
Der Abteilungsleiter hat seinen Sekretär gebeten, das Meeting zu protokollieren.
The department head asked his secretary to take the minutes of the meeting.
The English word 'secretary' refers only to a person. The German word 'der Sekretär' can also be a piece of furniture: a writing desk with compartments.
Mein Urgroßvater hat diesen alten Sekretär selbst gebaut.
My great-grandfather built this old writing desk himself.
You can tell whether a person or a piece of furniture is meant from the verb. Actions like 'einstellen' (to hire), 'anrufen' (to call), or 'fragen' (to ask) refer to the person. Descriptions like 'antik sein' (to be antique), 'im Zimmer stehen' (to stand in the room), or 'aus Holz sein' (to be made of wood) refer to the piece of furniture.
Könnten Sie bitte Ihren Sekretär fragen, wann er Zeit für mich hat?
Could you please ask your secretary when he has time for me?
In politics and large organizations, 'Sekretär' (secretary) is often part of a fixed official title. The best-known examples are 'der Generalsekretär' (secretary-general) and 'der Staatssekretär' (state secretary).
Der Staatssekretär nahm an der internationalen Konferenz teil.
The state secretary took part in the international conference.
When referring to the person, the word is often connected with typical office activities. Common verbs are 'Termine vereinbaren' (to schedule appointments), 'die Korrespondenz erledigen' (to handle correspondence), or 'Anrufe entgegennehmen' (to take calls).
Der Sekretär hat für nächste Woche einen Termin mit dem Kunden vereinbart.
The secretary scheduled an appointment with the customer for next week.
office / bureau
'das Büro' and 'der Sekretär' can appear together in a work context, but they usually do not mean the same thing. 'Büro' is the room where work is done. 'Sekretär' normally means a male person who organizes appointments, letters, and other tasks. There is also the meaning as a piece of furniture: a 'Sekretär' is a special writing cabinet, and 'Büro' could also formerly mean a writing desk. That is why the words can seem similar in old or special texts. In everyday use, the most important distinction is: you work in a 'Büro'; the 'Sekretär' is a person or a piece of furniture.
Der Sekretär vereinbart für die Chefin einen neuen Termin.
The secretary arranges a new appointment for the boss.
Vor dem Termin hat das Team das Büro noch schnell aufgeräumt.
Before the appointment, the team quickly tidied up the office.