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Gemeinschaft

community

noun ge-MAIN-shaft Less Common
People & Society Community

Origin: from gemein ('common') plus the collective suffix -schaft

Usage Note

Gemeinschaft stresses a shared bond, as in Europäische Gemeinschaft or Lebensgemeinschaft ('domestic partnership'). The -schaft suffix builds collectives and keeps the word feminine. Sociologists famously contrast it with Gesellschaft ('society').

Examples

"Die Gemeinschaft hält fest zusammen."

Natural Translation

The community sticks firmly together.

Literal Translation

The community holds firmly together.

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