German Conversation · Level 83
59 words
German word
Bürokratie
Pronunciation
IPA/byːʁoˌkʁaˈtiː/
Meaning
- feminine nounbureaucracy
Example
Bei der Bürokratie dauert oft alles länger.
Because of bureaucracy, everything often takes longer.
More examples
Die Bürokratie verzögert oft politische Entscheidungen.
The bureaucracy often delays political decisions.
Core concept
A chain of official desks in which each form moves through a fixed hierarchy before a decision is made.
Common phrases
die Bürokratie reformieren
reform bureaucracy
an der Bürokratie scheitern
fail because of bureaucracy
von der Bürokratie befreit sein
be free from bureaucracy
Similar words
Behörde: An official public body that delivers government services.
Verwaltung: A public-sector structure responsible for organizing and operating services.
Amt: An administrative office dealing with a defined government function.
Beamte: Civil servants carrying out public duties for the state or a municipality.
Definition in German
Eine Staats- oder Verwaltungsweise, die durch feste Formulare, Amtswege und hierarchische Zuständigkeiten funktioniert.
Word origin
The word is a French formation combining bureau, meaning office, with the Greek element -kratie, meaning rule or government.
Usage tips
- Bürokratie commonly has a negative sense like red tape, while the related adjective bürokratisch describes procedures, institutions, or behavior.
Other meanings
- red tapenoun
Opposites
- Flexibilitätflexibilitynoun
- Bürgernäheproximity to citizensnoun
Related words
- bürokratisierenbureaucratizeverb
- Bürokratieabbaubureaucracy reductionnoun