entourage / aftermath
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entourage
The group of people who accompany a high-ranking or famous person, for example a king, a president, or a star.
Die Königin erschien mit ihrem gesamten Gefolge zur Zeremonie.
The queen appeared at the ceremony with her entire entourage.
The word 'Gefolge' (entourage/aftermath) is derived from the verb 'folgen' (to follow). The prefix 'Ge-' forms a collective noun here. So 'das Gefolge' is literally the group of people who follow someone.
Der Popstar reist nie ohne sein großes Gefolge aus Assistenten und Bodyguards.
The pop star never travels without his large entourage of assistants and bodyguards.
You can tell from context whether people or consequences are meant. If 'Gefolge' (entourage/aftermath) refers to a person, it is about that person's companions. If it appears in connection with an event, e.g. 'im Gefolge der Krise' (in the aftermath of the crisis), the aftereffects are meant.
Im Gefolge des Ministers reisten auch mehrere Journalisten.
Several journalists also traveled in the minister's entourage.
This word is often used with the preposition 'im' to express belonging to a group. Typical verbs are 'ankommen' (to arrive), 'erscheinen' (to appear), or 'reisen' (to travel).
Der Präsident traf mit seinem Gefolge am Flughafen ein.
The president arrived at the airport with his entourage.
This meaning is very elevated and is used almost only in written language to describe the long-term and often negative consequences of a major event.
Die Krankheit zog ein langes Gefolge von Leiden nach sich.
The illness brought a long aftermath of suffering with it.
consequence / episode
'die Folge' and 'das Gefolge' look similar, and in an elevated or old-fashioned meaning they can both have to do with consequences. In everyday modern German, however, 'die Folge' is the normal word for a consequence. 'das Gefolge' usually means a group of people who accompany an important or famous person. As a word for aftereffects, 'Gefolge' sounds outdated or very elevated. Learners may confuse the words because of their similar form. In normal sentences about causes and consequences, 'die Folge' is almost always correct.
Der Präsident kam mit einem großen Gefolge am Rathaus an.
The president arrived at city hall with a large entourage.
Eine direkte Folge des Unfalls war ein langer Stau auf der Autobahn.
A direct consequence of the accident was a long traffic jam on the highway.