German word

Buchhandel

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbuːxˌhandl̩/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbook trade

Example

Ich arbeite im Buchhandel.

I work in the book trade.

Illustration for Buchhandel (book trade)

More examples

Viele Fachbücher sind nicht im Buchhandel, sondern direkt beim Verlag erhältlich.

Many specialist books are not available through the book trade, but directly from the publisher.

Core concept

The organized business around getting books sold and delivered to their readers.

Common phrases

  • im Buchhandel erhältlich

    available through the book trade

  • im Buchhandel kaufen

    buy through the book trade

Similar words

Buchhandlung: A retail shop where the general public can buy books.
Verlag: A company responsible for developing, editing, and publishing books.
Verlagswesen: The wider publishing business, including how books are produced and distributed.
Buchvertrieb: The part of the book business that moves and sells books from publishers to shops or customers.

Definition in German

Wirtschaftlicher Sektor, in dem Bücher gekauft, verkauft und an Buchhandlungen oder Leser verteilt werden.

Word origin

Buchhandel is formed transparently from Buch ('book') and Handel ('commerce'), with Handel historically connected to handeln ('to trade').

Usage tips

  • Buchhandel can refer to the industry in general, not only to the act of selling an individual book.

Other meanings

  • book distributionnoun
  • booksellingnoun

Related words

  • Buchhandelsumsatzbookselling revenuenoun
  • buchhändlerischbooksellingadjective
  • Buchhändlerbooksellernoun

Word lists with this word