noun

die Behörde, -n

agency · authority · government office

Das ist eine offizielle Stelle, die Aufgaben für den Staat erledigt und Regeln durchsetzt.

Definition & meaning

A Behörde is a public authority, government agency, or administrative body. It refers to an official institution that exercises sovereign power, carries out administrative tasks, or provides public services on behalf of the state or a municipality.

The term covers a wide range of organizations, such as:

Local offices (e.g., the registration office).
Police or regulatory departments.
Tax offices.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: It is a feminine noun (die Behörde). The plural form is die Behörden.
Word origin: The word is derived from the Middle High German verb behüeren, which originally meant "to take care of," "to look after," or "to handle." It relates to the concept of someone being in charge or holding the authority to manage specific public affairs.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

Das Amt (referring to a specific office or department).
Die Dienststelle (referring to a service branch or administrative location).
Die Institution (a broader term for an institution).
Die Verwaltung (the administration).

Antonyms:

There are no direct linguistic antonyms for the term Behörde, as it describes a specific organizational structure. However, in contexts contrasting state power with private life, one might refer to:
Der Privatsektor (private sector).
Die Privatperson (a private individual, contrasting with an official representative).