das Kollektiv
collective
A group of people who act or work together or pursue a common goal.
EXAMPLE
Das Kollektiv entschied gemeinsam über das weitere Vorgehen.
The collective jointly decided how to proceed.
das Kollektiv
collective
das Kollektiv, die Kollektive
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Meanings
das Kollektiv
work collective
A work group or community within a company or institution, especially in the terminology of socialist states.
EXAMPLE
Das Kollektiv des Betriebs organisierte die Feier selbst.
The company's work collective organized the celebration itself.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Kollektiv, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Kollektive |
| genitive | des Kollektivs |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Kollektiv | die Kollektive |
| accusative | das Kollektiv | die Kollektive |
| dative | dem Kollektiv | den Kollektiven |
| genitive | des Kollektivs | der Kollektive |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Das Kollektiv' (collective) belongs to the same word family as 'kollektiv' (collective) and, as a noun, refers to a group that acts together or pursues a common goal. It often appears with verbs that express joint action.
EXAMPLE
Das Kollektiv arbeitete mehrere Wochen an einer gemeinsamen Lösung.
The collective worked for several weeks on a shared solution.
Typical collocations
In its general sense, 'Kollektiv' (collective) is often used with verbs such as 'bilden' (to form), 'handeln' (to act), 'entscheiden' (to decide), and 'auftreten' (to act or appear publicly). The phrase 'als Kollektiv' (as a collective) is also common.
EXAMPLE
Die Beschäftigten traten als Kollektiv für bessere Arbeitsbedingungen ein.
The employees advocated for better working conditions as a collective.
Historical usage
The sense referring to a work group within a company or institution is particularly associated with the terminology of socialist states. It therefore often appears in historical, political, or literary texts.
EXAMPLE
Im Roman wird beschrieben, wie das Kollektiv des Betriebs über die neue Arbeitsordnung diskutiert.
The novel describes how the company's work collective discusses the new workplace regulations.
In real life
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