bürokratische

Bürokratische is an adjective in German that translates to “bureaucratic” in English. It describes processes, organizations, or behavior characterized by formal rules, standardized procedures, and hierarchical authority, often emphasizing paperwork and compliance over substantive outcomes.

Etymology: The term combines Büro, meaning office, with a Greek-derived suffix from -kratie, via the French word bureaucratie (and the English bureaucracy). It denotes rule by officials or offices and entered German administrative vocabulary in the 18th–19th centuries.

Usage and nuance: The adjective is used to describe bürokratische Verfahren (bureaucratic procedures), bürokratische Strukturen (bureaucratic structures), or bürokratisches Denken (bureaucratic thinking). It can be neutral, simply noting organizational traits, or pejorative, signaling excessive red tape, rigidity, or inefficiency. In public administration and organizational theory, bürokratische tendencies are contrasted with more flexible, outcome-oriented approaches.

Related concepts: The noun Bürokratie (bureaucracy) appears in discussions of administration reform, governance, and digitalization aimed at reducing bürokratische hurdles. The term is often discussed in the context of Weberian bureaucracy, which emphasizes formal rationality, clear hierarchy, written records, and impersonal relationships.

Further notes: The form bürokratische adapts to gender and number in German syntax (e.g., bürokratischer Prozess, bürokratisches Verfahren, bürokratische Hürde). See also Bürokratie and related terms such as Bürokratisierung.