German word

Hierarchie

Pronunciation

IPA/hiʁaʁˈçiː/

Meaning

  • feminine nounhierarchy

Example

In vielen Firmen sind die Hierarchien oft klar strukturiert.

In many companies, hierarchies are often clearly structured.

Illustration for Hierarchie (hierarchy)

More examples

Viele Start-ups verzichten bewusst auf ausgeprägte Hierarchie-Strukturen.

Many start-ups deliberately avoid pronounced hierarchical structures.

Core concept

A stacked ranking that orders people, roles, or ideas from greater to lesser authority or importance.

Common phrases

  • an der Spitze der Hierarchie stehen

    stand at the top of the hierarchy

  • untere Stufen der Hierarchie

    lower levels of the hierarchy

Similar words

Rang: A person's or thing's assigned position or grade within a ranking.
Führungsebene: An upper organizational tier responsible for leadership and decision-making.
Befehlskette: The route through an organization by which orders pass from higher to lower levels.

Definition in German

Struktur, in der Elemente nach Autorität oder Verantwortung in aufeinanderfolgenden Ebenen geordnet sind.

Word origin

Hierarchie derives from Greek hierarkhia through Latin and French, combining hieros for sacred with archē for rule or authority.

Usage tips

  • German also uses Hierarchie for non-work rankings, such as a Hierarchie der Bedürfnisse, not only for company structures.

Other meanings

  • rankingnoun
  • chain of commandnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Hierarchieebenehierarchy levelnoun
  • hierarchischhierarchicaladjective

Word lists with this word