self-employment / independence
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self-employment
The professional activity of running your own business or working freelance, rather than being employed by an employer.
Nach zehn Jahren im Büro wagte sie den Schritt in die Selbständigkeit.
After ten years in the office, she took the step into self-employment.
independence
The ability or state of acting, deciding, and taking care of oneself independently of others; autonomy.
Die Erziehung sollte die Selbständigkeit der Kinder fördern.
Upbringing should encourage children's independence.
independence
The political independence of a state or region; sovereignty.
Das Land erlangte nach einem langen Kampf seine politische Selbständigkeit.
The country gained its political independence after a long struggle.
The word is derived from the adjective 'selbständig' (independent/self-employed). It consists of 'selbst' (self) and 'ständig' (from 'stehen' (to stand)) and literally means the state of 'standing on your own two feet.' The ending '-keit' turns it into a noun.
Er liebt seine Selbständigkeit und möchte nie wieder für einen Chef arbeiten.
He loves his self-employment and never wants to work for a boss again.
In a professional context, the phrase 'der Schritt in die Selbständigkeit' (the step into self-employment) or 'der Weg in die Selbständigkeit' (the path into self-employment) is very common. It describes the process of starting your own business.
Der Weg in die Selbständigkeit erfordert Mut und eine gute Planung.
The path into self-employment requires courage and good planning.
The meaning becomes clear from the context. If it is about 'Beruf' (profession/job) or 'Firma' (company), it refers to professional activity. With 'Kindern' (children) or 'Erziehung' (upbringing/education), it is about autonomy. In connection with 'Staat' (state) or 'Land' (country), it refers to political independence.
Viele träumen von der beruflichen Selbständigkeit.
Many people dream of professional self-employment.
When it is about personal autonomy, 'Selbständigkeit' (independence) is often combined with verbs such as 'fördern' (to encourage/promote), 'unterstützen' (to support), 'erlangen' (to attain), or 'bewahren' (to preserve/maintain).
Im Alter ist es vielen Menschen wichtig, ihre Selbständigkeit zu bewahren.
In old age, it is important to many people to maintain their independence.
independence
Here, Unabhängigkeit describes being financially independent of others. Selbständigkeit, on the other hand, refers to working in one's own business or as a freelancer. Someone who is self-employed is therefore not automatically financially independent.
Mit der Gründung seines eigenen Betriebs begann Amir seine berufliche Selbständigkeit.
By founding his own business, Amir began working for himself.
Mit ausreichenden Rücklagen sicherte sich Amir finanzielle Unabhängigkeit.
With sufficient savings, Amir secured his financial independence.
