die Agentur, -en
agency
Eine Organisation oder ein Büro, das bestimmte Aufgaben für andere Personen oder Firmen erledigt, zum Beispiel Werbung machen oder Arbeit vermitteln.
Definition & meaning
The word Agentur primarily refers to a business or organization that provides a specific service, often acting as an intermediary or representative for others. There are several contexts in which this word is commonly used:
- Service Provider: A company that performs tasks for other businesses or individuals. Examples include a Werbeagentur (advertising agency) or a Reiseagentur (travel agency).
- News Agency: An organization that gathers news reports and sells them to various media outlets, such as a Nachrichtenagentur.
- Representative Branch: A local office or branch that represents a larger parent company or organization in a specific region.
- Government Body: In Germany, it often refers to public institutions, most notably the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency).
Grammar & Word origin
The word Agentur is a feminine noun (die Agentur). Its plural form is die Agenturen.
The word originates from the Latin noun agentia, which is derived from the verb agere, meaning "to act," "to drive," or "to do." It entered the German language in the 17th century, likely influenced by the French word agence. The core concept remains "the place where someone acts on behalf of another."
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms: Depending on the specific context, common synonyms include Büro (office), Dienststelle (administrative office), Vertretung (representation), or Filiale (branch). In a news context, one might use the term Pressedienst.
Antonyms: While there is no direct opposite for a general "agency," in a corporate or organizational hierarchy, the antonym could be the Zentrale (headquarters) or the Hauptsitz (main office), representing the central authority rather than a representative branch.
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Examples
Die Agentur stellt neue Mitarbeiter ein.noun
The agency is hiring new employees.
Gestern hat mir eine der Agenturen schnell geholfen.noun
Yesterday one of the agencies helped me quickly.
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