das
Sekretariat
🏢 What exactly is a Sekretariat?
The German word das Sekretariat (noun, neuter) primarily has two meanings:
- The place/room: It refers to the office or room where secretarial tasks are performed. This is often the first point of contact in a company, school, or authority. Example: Bitte geben Sie die Unterlagen im Sekretariat ab. (Please hand in the documents at the secretariat/office.)
- The department/organizational unit: It can also refer to the entire department or group of people responsible for administrative and organizational tasks. Example: Das Sekretariat organisiert die Termine der Geschäftsführung. (The secretariat organizes the management's appointments.)
The article das is always used. There's no confusion with other articles here (🚨 There is no *der Sekretariat* or *die Sekretariat*).
🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: Das Sekretariat
The noun Sekretariat is neuter and takes the article das. Here is its declension:
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | das | Sekretariat |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Sekretariat(e)s |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Sekretariat |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | das | Sekretariat |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Sekretariate |
| Genitive | der | Sekretariate |
| Dative | den | Sekretariaten |
| Accusative | die | Sekretariate |
Example Sentences 📝
- Das Sekretariat ist von 8 bis 16 Uhr geöffnet. (The secretariat is open from 8 am to 4 pm.)
- Die Aufgaben des Sekretariats sind vielfältig. (The tasks of the secretariat are diverse.)
- Ich muss morgen früh zum Sekretariat gehen. (I have to go to the secretariat early tomorrow morning.)
- Finden Sie das Sekretariat im Erdgeschoss? (Can you find the secretariat on the ground floor?)
- Viele Firmen haben zentrale Sekretariate. (Many companies have central secretariats.)
💡 How to Use 'Sekretariat'?
Das Sekretariat is a very common word in professional, educational, and administrative contexts.
- Typical Contexts: You find it in companies (Firmen-Sekretariat), law firms (Kanzlei-Sekretariat), doctor's offices (Praxis-Sekretariat), schools (Schul-Sekretariat), universities, and public authorities.
- Function: It serves as the central point of contact for organizational matters, scheduling appointments, handling mail, and general administrative tasks.
- Distinction from 'Büro': While 'Büro' is a general term for an office or workspace, 'Sekretariat' specifically denotes the place or department primarily focused on administrative and support functions. A manager has a 'Büro', but the central administrative hub is 'das Sekretariat'.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
For the article 'das': Many nouns ending in -at borrowed from Latin are neuter: das Referat (presentation/report), das Plakat (poster), das Attentat (assassination attempt), das Resultat (result)... and also das Sekretariat. Think of the 'neutral' administrative ATom.
For the meaning: The word 'Sekretariat' contains 'Sekret' (secret). Imagine that the secretariat often handles confidential information (little 'secrets' of the organization) – therefore, it needs a neutral, central place: das Sekretariat.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Büro: Office. More general, but can be synonymous depending on context.
- Verwaltung: Administration. Refers more to the activity or the entire administrative structure.
- Empfang: Reception. Often part of the secretariat, focusing on initial contact.
- Geschäftsstelle: Office/Agency. Similar, often used for associations or organizations.
- Vorzimmer: Anteroom. Outdated, often referred to the office directly preceding the boss's office.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
Direct antonyms are difficult. Conceptual opposites could be:
- Produktion/Werkstatt: Production/Workshop. Place of manufacturing, not administration.
- Außendienst: Field service/Sales force. Work done outside the office.
- Führungsebene/Chefzimmer: Management level/Boss's office. Place of decision-making, not primarily administration (though administration happens there too).
⚠️ Similar but Misleading Words:
- Sekretär/Sekretärin: Secretary (male/female). The person working in the Sekretariat.
😄 A Little Office Joke
German: Warum hat der Bleistift einen Anspitzer geheiratet?
Weil sie zusammen eine spitzenmäßige Beziehung hatten und alles im Büro glattlief – dank guter Organisation aus dem Sekretariat!
English Translation: Why did the pencil marry the sharpener?
Because they had a sharp relationship and everything in the office ran smoothly – thanks to good organization from the secretariat!
✍️ Poem about the Secretariat
German:
Im Herzen der Firma, geschäftig und klar,
liegt das Sekretariat, Jahr für Jahr.
Telefon klingelt, die Post kommt herein,
Termine gemacht, alles fein.
Es ordnet, es plant, hält den Laden in Schwung,
das neutrale Zentrum, mit Elan und Sprung.
English Translation:
In the heart of the firm, busy and clear,
lies the secretariat, year after year.
The phone rings, the mail comes inside,
Appointments are made, with nothing to hide.
It orders, it plans, keeps things running along,
the neutral center, vibrant and strong.
❓ Little Riddle
German:
Ich habe keinen Chef, doch diene vielen Herrn,
empfange Post und Anrufe, nah und fern.
Ich bin ein Ort, oft der erste im Haus,
mal klein, mal groß, mal still, mal Applaus.
Mit 'das' steh ich da, neutral und bereit.
Was bin ich, für die Verwaltung geweiht?
English Translation:
I have no boss, yet serve many masters,
receive mail and calls, avoiding disasters.
I am a place, often the first in the building,
sometimes small, sometimes large, sometimes quiet, sometimes thrilling.
With 'das' I stand, neutral and keen.
What am I, for administration the scene?
Solution: Das Sekretariat (The secretariat)
🌐 Other Interesting Info
Word Composition & Origin:
The word Sekretariat derives from the Latin word secretarius, which originally meant "confidential clerk" or "confidant" (from secretum = secret). This evolved into the term for a person in a confidential administrative position (Sekretär/in) and eventually also for the place or department where this work is done.
The ending -at in German often indicates a place or institution (cf. Konsulat = consulate, Internat = boarding school).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Sekretariat?
The German word "Sekretariat" is a noun and always uses the article das. It is neuter and refers to an administrative place or department. The plural form is "die Sekretariate".