English Lexicon

Department of Foreign Affairs

/dɪˈpɑːrt.mənt əv ˈfɔːr.ən əˈfɛərz/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #4500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The government ministry or department responsible for managing a country's foreign policy, diplomatic relations, and international affairs.

    "The Department of Foreign Affairs issued a travel advisory for citizens visiting the region."
  2. 2

    The physical headquarters or official diplomatic agency representing a national government abroad.

    "She visited the Department of Foreign Affairs to authenticate her travel documents."

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Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term combines 'department', deriving from Latin 'departire' (to divide), 'foreign' from Latin 'foraneus' (outside), and 'affairs' from Old French 'affaire' (to do with). Historically formalized in the 18th and 19th centuries as nation-states established specialized governmental bodies to manage international relations and diplomatic missions.

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10 Global Lexicons: How "Department of Foreign Affairs" is said worldwide

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🇫🇷French → English

Ministère des Affaires étrangères

Transliteration: ministɛʁ dez‿a.fɛːʁ e.tʁɑ̃.ʒɛʁ

"Le ministère des Affaires étrangères a condamné l'attaque."

🇩🇪German → English

Ministerium für auswärtige Angelegenheiten

Transliteration: miniˈsteːʁiʊm fyːɐ̯ ˈaʊsˌvɛʁtɪɡə ˈaŋəˌɡlaɪçnɪsɐ

"Das Ministerium für auswärtige Angelegenheiten gab eine Erklärung ab."

🇮🇹Italian → English

Ministero degli Affari Esteri

Transliteration: miniˈstɛːro ˈdeʎʎi afˈfaːri ˈɛsteri

"Il Ministero degli Affari Esteri monitora la situazione internazionale."

🇪🇸Spanish → English

Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores

Transliteration: ministeˈɾi.o de aˈsuntos eks.teˈɾjo.ɾes

"El Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores protege a los ciudadanos en el extranjero."

🇵🇹Portuguese → English

Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros

Transliteration: miniˈstɛɾiu duʒ neˈɡɔsiuʒ eʃtɾɐ̃ˈʒeiɾuʒ

"O Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros emitiu um novo comunicado."

🇮🇳Hindi → English

विदेश मंत्रालय

Transliteration: videsh mantralaya

"विदेश मंत्रालय ने एक आधिकारिक बयान जारी किया।"

🇨🇳Chinese → English

外交部

Transliteration: wài jiāo bù

"外交部发言人就热点问题回答了记者提问。"

🇰🇷Korean → English

외교부

Transliteration: oe-gyo-bu

"외교부는 해외 여행 주의보를 발령했습니다."

🇯🇵Japanese → English

外務省

Transliteration: gaimushō

"外務省は国民に向けて渡航情報を発表した。"

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