Unternehmen
/ˌʊntɐˈneːmən/
The German word for company is Unternehmen.
Unternehmen is used to refer to any business or economic entity, regardless of its legal incorporation status.
Meaning: in non-legal context, any business, without respect to incorporation (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Unternehmen refers broadly to an economic entity or enterprise, the word Firma often refers more specifically to the commercial name or the legal business entity.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unternehmen is a neuter noun, so it uses the definite article das in the singular. The plural form is spelled the same way, but the definite article changes to die (e.g., die Unternehmen).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌʊntɐˈneːmən/
Did you know?
- The word Unternehmen is also the noun form of the verb unternehmen, which means 'to undertake' or 'to do an activity'. Because of this, the same word can refer to a corporate business or a simple leisure activity like a weekend trip.
- Because Unternehmen can refer to an 'adventure' or 'venture' in older or literary contexts, it carries a connotation of risk and daring that 'company' lacks in English.
- The word Unternehmen is related to the English word 'undertake'. Both share the same Germanic roots of 'under' and 'take/take on'.
Examples in context
- Das Unternehmen ging pleite.The company went bankrupt.This sentence shows how to express that a Unternehmen went bankrupt.Tatoeba #701731 by samueldora, translation #49044 by Scott
- Er gründete das Unternehmen.He established the company.This sentence describes the establishment of a Unternehmen.Tatoeba #14004502 by Naina, translation #2246967 by Eldad
- Es ist ein großes Unternehmen.It's a big company.This sentence describes the scale of a Unternehmen.Tatoeba #4732135 by bonny37, translation #3183592 by CK
- Meine Firma hat heute eine neue Abteilung eröffnet.My company opened a new department today.
- Die Firma hat eine beeindruckende Erfolgsbilanz.The company has an impressive track record.
- Welche Firma hat den Auftrag abgeschlossen?Which company completed the order?
- Unser Unternehmen expandiert weltweit.Our company is expanding globally.
- Das Unternehmen stellt innovative Produkte her.The company manufactures innovative products.
- Der Betrieb hat seine Produktion modernisiert.The company updated its production.
- Unser Betrieb sucht qualifizierte Fachkräfte.Our company is looking for skilled professionals.
- Gehst du zur Party der Firma?Are you going to the company's party?
- Meine Firma bietet flexible Arbeitszeiten an.My company offers flexible working hours.
- 97 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are talking about Sarah's new job.
- FelixWo arbeitest du jetzt, Sarah?Where are you working now, Sarah?
- SarahIch arbeite für ein kleines Unternehmen.I work for a small company.
- FelixWas macht dieses Unternehmen eigentlich?What does this company actually do?
- SarahWir entwickeln Software für Schulen.We develop software for schools.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Unternehmen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Unternehmen, unternehmen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
