noun

die Abteilung, -en

department

Das ist ein Teil einer Firma oder Organisation, in dem bestimmte Aufgaben erledigt werden.

Definition & meaning

Abteilung is a feminine German noun meaning department, division, section, or unit. It refers to an organized part of a larger institution, company, store, administration, or military structure.

Common meanings include:

Department within an organization or company
die Personalabteilung = the human resources department
die Verkaufsabteilung = the sales department
Section or department in a shop or institution
die Abteilung für Haushaltswaren = the household goods section
Military unit or division
In military contexts, it can refer to a designated operational unit, although the exact size depends on the military branch and historical context.

Grammar & Word origin

Gender: feminine
Article: die
Plural: die Abteilungen
Pronunciation: ahp-TAI-loong

The word is derived from the verb abteilen , meaning “to divide off” or “to separate into sections”:

ab- = off, away, separately
Teil = part
-ung = a suffix forming nouns that describe an action, process, or result

Thus, Abteilung originally means something like “a division into parts” and came to mean a distinct organizational section.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

Bereich — area or field; broader and less clearly organized than Abteilung
Sektion — section; often used for subdivisions of organizations, associations, or institutions
Fachbereich — specialized department or academic division; emphasizes a particular subject or professional field
Division — division; more formal and often used in business, military, or sports contexts
Dezernat — administrative department, especially within a public authority

Antonyms

There is no exact direct antonym. Depending on the context, possible contrasts include:

Gesamtorganisation — the organization as a whole, rather than one of its departments
Einheit — a unified whole or single unit, emphasizing the absence of subdivision