das  Business

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbɪznɪs/

💼 What does "das Business" mean?

Das Business is a word adopted from English (an Anglicism) and mostly means the following in German:

• Business or the business world: The general field of Handel (trade), Dienstleistungen (services), and Industrie (industry). Example: Er kennt sich im internationalen Business gut aus. (He knows his way around international business.)
• Business sector or industry: A specific sector of the economy. Example: Das Musik-Business ist hart umkämpft. (The music business is highly competitive.)
• Business activity or enterprise: The activity of trading or a company itself. Example: Sein Business läuft gut. (His business is going well.)

It's often used colloquially or in specific jargon. 🚨 Attention: Although it's an English word, it has acquired the neuter article "das" in German.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: Das Business

"Business" is a noun and an Anglicism. It is neuter and takes the article "das". It is generally used only in the singular, or the plural is formed as in English ("Businesses") or paraphrased. Germanizing the plural is uncommon.

Declension Singular

Example Sentences

• Nominativ: Das Business boomt in dieser Region. (Business is booming in this region.)
• Genitiv: Die Regeln des Business sind manchmal schwer zu verstehen. (The rules of business are sometimes hard to understand.)
• Dativ: Sie widmet sich ganz dem Business. (She dedicates herself entirely to the business.)
• Akkusativ: Er möchte das Business seines Vaters übernehmen. (He wants to take over his father's business.)

🌐 How to use "das Business"?

"Das Business" is frequently used in contexts related to Wirtschaft (economy), Handel (trade), and Unternehmertum (entrepreneurship). It often sounds more modern or international than the German word "Geschäft", but can sometimes seem a bit informal.

• Typical Phrases: "im Business sein" (to be in business), "das große Business" (big business, lucrative deals), "Show-Business", "Musik-Business".
• Difference from "Geschäft": While "Geschäft" can also refer to a single shop or transaction, "das Business" usually refers to the entire industry or business activity in general.
• Context: You often hear it in conversations about careers, industry news, or economic developments.

💡 Mnemonics for "das Business"

For the article "das": Think of other neuter concepts often borrowed or abstract, like das Internet, das Interesse, or the German equivalent das Geschäft. The 's' sound in Business might loosely remind you of das.

For the meaning: "Business" sounds exactly like the English word – and that's essentially what it means! Picture a busy person doing their Business.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Be aware: Words like "die Firma" (company) or "das Unternehmen" (enterprise/company) refer to a specific organization, whereas "das Business" usually means the activity or the sector.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie Hobbys?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Ja, Chef! Am Wochenende betreibe ich mein eigenes kleines Business."
Chef: "Ach ja? Und was machen Sie da so?"
Mitarbeiter: "Ich suche einen neuen Job!"

English: The boss asks the new employee: "Do you have any hobbies?"
The employee replies: "Yes, boss! On weekends, I run my own little business."
Boss: "Oh really? And what do you do?"
Employee: "I look for a new job!"

✍️ Business Poem

German:
Das Meeting ruft, die Zahlen klar,
Das Business läuft, Jahr für Jahr.
Verträge, Mails, ein steter Fluss,
Im großen Ganzen, kein Verdruss.
Man plant, man schafft, mit Ziel und Sinn,
So ist die Welt des Business drin.

English Translation:
The meeting calls, the figures clear,
The business runs, year after year.
Contracts, emails, a steady flow,
Overall, no signs of woe.
They plan, create, with aim and sense,
That's the world where business commence.

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich komm' aus England, bin bekannt,
Regiere oft im deutschen Land.
Mit Handel, Geld und Industrie
Hab' ich zu tun, so spät wie früh.
Man sagt "das" zu mir, ganz offiziell,
Was bin ich? Sag es schnell!

English Translation:
I come from England, I am known,
Often ruling on German ground.
With trade, money, and industry
I'm involved, constantly.
They call me "das", officially,
What am I? Tell me quickly!

Solution: Das Business

🧐 Other Information

• Origin: Direct borrowing from English ("business").
• Frequency: Particularly common in business language, marketing, media, and the startup scene.
• Compounds: Often forms compound words like "Businessplan" (business plan), "Business-Englisch" (business English), "Business-Lunch" (business lunch), "Business-Klasse" (business class).