das  Ressort

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁɛsoʁt/

📚 What does "das Ressort" mean?

Das Ressort is a neuter noun (sächliches Substantiv) in German and primarily has two meanings:

1. Area of responsibility / Department / Portfolio: This is the most common meaning. It refers to a clearly defined area of responsibility or tasks, especially within a public authority (Behörde), a ministry (Ministerium), or a large organization (e.g., a newspaper - Zeitung). You often hear about the Finanzressort (finance department/portfolio), Außenressort (foreign affairs portfolio), or Kulturressort (cultural section). It signifies the specific jurisdiction of a person or department.
2. Holiday resort / Tourist resort (rare, Anglicism): Sometimes "Ressort" (often spelled "Resort" in this context) is used in the sense of a holiday complex or tourist resort, similar to the English word "resort". ⚠️ *This usage is less established in German and can be considered an Anglicism. The first meaning is much more common and original.

🚨 Don't confuse it primarily with the English "resort" (holiday destination), although it's sometimes used that way. The core meaning in German is the area of responsibility or department.*

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: das Ressort

The noun "Ressort" is neuter (sächlich). Its declension is as follows:

📝 Example Sentences:

• Das Finanzministerium hat ein eigenes Ressort für internationale Steuerfragen. (The Ministry of Finance has its own department for international tax issues.)
• Welcher Minister ist für dieses Ressort zuständig? (Which minister is responsible for this portfolio/department?)
• Innerhalb der Zeitung leitet sie das Ressort Kultur. (Within the newspaper, she heads the Culture section/desk.)
• Die verschiedenen Ressorts der Regierung müssen besser zusammenarbeiten. (The various government departments/portfolios need to cooperate better.)

💡 How "das Ressort" is used

The term das Ressort is primarily used in the context of administration (Verwaltung), politics (Politik), and journalism (Journalismus).

• Politics/Administration: Here, it denotes the specific area of responsibility of a minister or a department (e.g., das Ressort für Bildung und Forschung - the portfolio/department for Education and Research).
• Journalism: Newspapers and magazines are often divided into sections called Ressorts (e.g., Politik-Ressort, Sport-Ressort, Lokal-Ressort). Each editor usually works in a specific Ressort.
• Companies: In large companies, one might also speak of Ressorts when referring to clearly defined areas of responsibility, although Abteilung (department) or Bereich (area) are also commonly used.

Distinction: While Abteilung often describes a hierarchical structure, Ressort emphasizes the content-related area of responsibility. Bereich is more general. The touristic meaning ("holiday resort") is, as mentioned, rarer and a more recent influence from English.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Ressort"

Here are a couple of memory aids:

• Article Mnemonic: Think of a government department sorting out its responsibilities. Sorting feels quite neutral, like das (the neuter article). It's the area they are responsible for: das Ressort.
• Meaning Mnemonic: Ressort sounds a bit like "re-sort". Imagine officials constantly having to re-sort their tasks and priorities within their specific department or area of responsibility – their Ressort.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar, but different words:

• Resort (English): *Holiday place. Sometimes adopted into German, but not the primary meaning of "das Ressort".*
• Ressource: *Resource (e.g., financial resources, human resources). Sounds similar, but has a completely different meaning.*

😂 A little joke about the Ressort

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Und, wie gefällt Ihnen Ihr neues Ressort?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Sehr gut, Herr Direktor! Ist es sehr weit bis zum Strand?"
Chef: "Äh... wir sind hier im Finanzministerium!"

Translation: The boss asks the new employee: "So, how do you like your new 'Ressort'?"
The employee replies: "Very much, Director! Is it far to the beach?"
Boss: "Uh... we're in the Ministry of Finance here!"

(The joke plays on the ambiguity between the German meaning 'department' and the English loanword 'resort'.)

📜 A poem about the Ressort

Im großen Haus der Politik,
Gibt's Arbeit, Stück für Stück.
Jeder hat sein eig'nes Feld,
Das Ressort, das ihm gefällt.

Der eine sorgt für Geld und Macht,
Der andre hat an Bildung gedacht.
Ein jeder in sei'm Reich agiert,
Im Ressort, das ihm gebührt.

Translation:
In the great house of politics,
There's work to do, bit by bit.
Each has their own field to hold,
The department (das Ressort), as they are told.

One cares for money and for might,
Another thinks of education's light.
Each one acts within their sphere,
In the department (Ressort) held so dear.

🧩 Ressort Riddle

Ich bin ein Bereich, klar getrennt,
Den man in Amt und Zeitung kennt.
Ein Minister ist für mich bestellt,
Oder ein Redakteur, der von mir erzählt.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am an area, clearly defined,
Known in offices and papers you find.
A minister is appointed for me,
Or an editor telling my story.

What am I?

Solution: das Ressort

🌐 More about the word "Ressort"

Etymology: The word "Ressort" comes from French. "Ressort" originally meant "spring mechanism", "elasticity", or also "judicial district", "area of jurisdiction". The meaning "area of jurisdiction/responsibility" became established in German.

Interesting note: The plural form "die Ressorts" is frequently used when talking about the various areas of responsibility within, for example, a government (Die Aufteilung der Ressorts war umstritten. - The allocation of portfolios/departments was controversial.).