Büro
/byˈroː/neuter
The English phrase "office" is translated into German as Büro. If unsure, use Büro. Wiktionary also lists Kontor and Amt.
Meaning: room(s) or building used for non-manual work (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Büro | /byˈroː/ /ˈbyːro/ |
neuter |
| Kontor | /kɔnˈtoːr/ | neuter |
| Amt | /amt/ | neuter |
The word refers to a room or building used for non-manual work. In modern German, the colloquial term Homeoffice is commonly used to describe the act of working from home rather than just the physical room.
Which one should you use?
While Büro refers to a general workspace, Amt specifically refers to a government office or administrative agency. Kontor is an archaic term for a merchant's office or trading post and is no longer used in everyday modern German.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Büro is Büros.
How do you pronounce it?
/byˈroː/
Did you know?
- The German word Amt is a distant relative of the English words 'ambassador' and 'embassy'.
- The term Kontor was historically used by the Hanseatic League to describe their overseas trading posts throughout Northern Europe.
Examples in context
- Er ist im Büro.He is at the office.This sentence is useful for saying someone is at the Büro.Tatoeba #2612750 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2612751 by CK
- Tom ist im Büro.Tom is in his office.This sentence is useful for saying someone is in his Büro.Tatoeba #1940968 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1024991 by CK
- Wo ist ihr Büro?Where's her office?This sentence is useful for asking where her Büro is located.Tatoeba #12452142 by Waldelfe, translation #10908723 by ddnktr
- Ich arbeite in einem Büro.I work in an office.
- Das Büro befindet sich im fünften Stock.The office is located on the fifth floor.
- Mein Arbeitsplatz ist sehr modern ausgestattet.My office is very modernly equipped.
- Wo ist Ihr Arbeitsplatz?Where is your office?
- Komm doch in mein Arbeitszimmer, dann können wir zusammenarbeiten.Come to my office/study, and we can work together.
- Ich habe mein Arbeitszimmer im Dachgeschoss.I have my office/study in the attic.
- 772 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Lukas are talking about their work location.
- HannahIst dein Büro sehr groß?Is your office very large?
- LukasNein, das Büro ist ziemlich klein.No, the office is quite small.
- HannahIch brauche auch ein neues Büro.I need a new office too.
- LukasVielleicht findest du bald eines.Maybe you will find one soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “office” translations and entries Büro, Kontor, Amt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Amt, Büro, Kontor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
