cooperative
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cooperative
An association of people or companies that pursue an economic goal together and support one another in the process. The members are both owners and customers.
Viele Landwirte sind in einer Molkerei-Genossenschaft organisiert, um ihre Milch gemeinsam zu vermarkten.
Many farmers are organized in a dairy cooperative in order to market their milk together.
The word is made up of 'Genosse' (partner, comrade) and the suffix '-schaft', which denotes a community. A 'Genossenschaft' (cooperative) is therefore literally a 'community of partners.'
Die Mitglieder der Genossenschaft teilen sich die Gewinne und Verluste.
The members of the cooperative share the profits and losses.
Common verbs are 'eine Genossenschaft gründen' (to found a cooperative) or 'einer Genossenschaft beitreten' (to join a cooperative). The word is often combined with a purpose, e.g. 'Baugenossenschaft' (housing cooperative) or 'Winzergenossenschaft' (winegrowers' cooperative).
Sie haben eine Baugenossenschaft gegründet, um günstigen Wohnraum zu schaffen.
They founded a housing cooperative in order to create affordable housing.
To express membership, you typically use the preposition 'in' or the phrase 'Mitglied einer Genossenschaft sein' (to be a member of a cooperative).
Mein Onkel ist seit Jahren in einer landwirtschaftlichen Genossenschaft.
My uncle has been in an agricultural cooperative for years.
society / company
Gesellschaft generally refers to a company or an economic association. Genossenschaft is more specific: its members pursue an economic goal together, support one another, and are both owners and customers. When this membership structure is important, Genossenschaft is more precise.
Mehrere Kunden gründen eine Genossenschaft und betreiben gemeinsam ihren Lebensmittelmarkt.
Several customers form a cooperative and run their grocery store together.
Mehrere Personen gründen eine Gesellschaft und eröffnen einen Lebensmittelmarkt.
Several people form a company and open a grocery store.
