Translation

Tricky translations

How do you say “competition” in German?

A “competition” is an event in which people or teams compete against each other to win a prize for being the best, fastest, most creative, etc. It is translated as Wettkampf, (Leistungs-)wettbewerb, Gewinnspiel or ⋅ Preisausschreiben:

“They won first prize in the competition for the most innovative new product.” — Sie haben beim Wettbewerb für das innovativste neue Produkt den ersten Preis gewonnen.

In the business world, “competition” refers to people or companies that are fighting for the same customers (Wettbewerb,

Konkurrenz). “Competition” can also be used to mean “the act of fighting for customers” (Konkurrenzkampf): ⋅

“We have to be better than the competition.” — Wir müssen besser als die Konkurrenz sein.

Someone who takes part in a competition is a ”competitor” (Wettkämpfer(in); Wettbewerber(in), Konkurrent(in)). And if a company’s prices or conditions are as good as, or better than, those offered by others, they are “competitive” (wettbewerbsfähig, konkurrenzfähig).

How do you say selbstständig in English?

If you are selbstständig, you work for yourself or have your own company. Depending on your job, it is translated as self-employed ⋅ or freelance: Ich bin jetzt selbstständig. — “I’m self-employed now.” Sich selbstständig machen is translated as start your own business, go into business for yourself or go freelance.

When selbstständig means “someone who doesn’t need guidance”, we say independent ⋅ or autonomous:

Unser Wunschkandidat ist kreativ und selbstständig.— “Our ideal candidate will be creative and independent.”

If someone does something without help, selbstständig is translated as by oneself, alone or ⋅ single-handed(ly):

Wir haben die Regale selbstständig zusammengebaut. — “We assembled the shelves single-handedly.”

If someone does something without being asked (selbstständig tun), we use of one’s own ⋅ accord:

Das hat er selbstständig beschlossen. — “He decided that of his own accord.”