following / supporters
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following
The entire group of people who support a particular person, idea, club, or political party.
Die Anhängerschaft des Fußballvereins feierte den Sieg ihrer Mannschaft.
The football club's following celebrated their team's victory.
The word is made up of 'Anhänger' (supporter / follower) and the ending '-schaft' (-ship). The ending '-schaft' forms collective nouns that refer to a group of people. An 'Anhängerschaft' (following) is therefore the totality of all supporters.
Die Anhängerschaft der Band reiste für das Konzert aus dem ganzen Land an.
The band's following traveled from all over the country for the concert.
Although 'Anhängerschaft' (following) describes a group of many people, the noun is grammatically singular. The verb in the sentence is therefore also singular.
Die Anhängerschaft des Politikers wächst stetig.
The politician's following is growing steadily.
The word is often used with a genitive or the preposition 'von' (of / from) to show whose supporters are meant. Typical examples are 'die Anhängerschaft eines Vereins' (the following of a club), 'einer Partei' (of a party), or 'eines Künstlers' (of an artist).
Die treue Anhängerschaft von diesem Autor kauft jedes seiner neuen Bücher.
This author's loyal following buys every one of his new books.
following / retinue
Gefolgschaft and Anhängerschaft both refer to a group of supporters. Anhängerschaft is the general term for the supporters of a person, idea, or party; Gefolgschaft places greater emphasis on loyalty and can suggest a personal or hierarchical bond. Use Anhängerschaft neutrally and Gefolgschaft when loyalty is emphasized.
Die Partei gewann nach dem neuen Programm viele weitere Anhänger in ihrer Anhängerschaft.
After introducing its new program, the party gained many more supporters.
Der Anführer konnte sich auch in schwierigen Zeiten auf seine treue Gefolgschaft verlassen.
Even in difficult times, the leader could rely on his loyal following.
