German word

Abteilung

Pronunciation

IPA/apˈtaɪ̯lʊŋ/

Meaning

  • feminine noundepartment

Example

In unserer Abteilung arbeiten zehn Mitarbeiter.

Ten employees work in our department.

Illustration for Abteilung (department)

More examples

Ich habe letzte Woche in eine neue Abteilung gewechselt.

I transferred to a new department last week.

Core concept

A defined unit inside a larger organization, with its own people and responsibilities grouped around one function.

Common phrases

  • in einer anderen Abteilung arbeiten

    work in another department

  • in die Abteilung wechseln

    transfer to the department

  • Leiter der Abteilung

    head of the department

Similar words

Team: A small group formed to work together and achieve results.
Bereich: A particular area of work or responsibility within an organization.
Filiale: A separate branch or store away from the head office.
Fachbereich: A division organized around a specialized field at a university or workplace.

Definition in German

Teil einer Organisation, in dem bestimmte Aufgaben oder Funktionen gebündelt sind.

Word origin

Abteilung comes from the verb abteilen, formed from ab- 'off' and teilen 'divide', with -ung forming a noun for the resulting division.

Usage tips

  • Abteilung is feminine, so the phrase 'in der Abteilung' uses the dative form of the definite article.

Other meanings

  • sectionnoun
  • divisionnoun

Related words

  • Abteilungsleiterdepartment headnoun
  • Abteilungsleiterinfemale department headnoun
  • abteilungsübergreifendcross-departmentaladjective

Word lists with this word