In German
Unternehmen
Meaning: company (and: to do something)
Example sentences
DasUnternehmenhatfünfhundertMitarbeiter.
The company has five hundred employees.
WasunternimmstduamWochenende?
What are you doing at the weekend?
WirunternehmenamSamstagetwasSchönes.
On Saturday we're going to do something nice.
Grammar note
The false friend: “Unternehmen” looks like English “undertake”, but as a noun (das Unternehmen) it means a company or business. As a verb (unternehmen) it means to do or undertake something, usually an activity.
Common mistake
Don't say “Unternehmen” for a task you're undertaking at work. In German that's usually “Aufgabe” or “Projekt”. A company is “das Unternehmen”.
Quick check
Which German word means “company”?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
Why does “unternehmen” look like “undertake”?
The verb and the English word share roots. But the German noun means “company”, which is the more common use.
How do you say “what are you doing?” in German?
“Was machst du?” is more common. “Was unternimmst du?” is used for plans and activities.