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.
company / undertaking
'das Unternehmen' and 'die Genossenschaft' can both be economic organizations. 'Unternehmen' is the general term for a company or business. A 'Genossenschaft' is a special form: the members join together, pursue a shared economic goal, and are often both owners and users. The words can be confused because a cooperative can operate like a company. If you are speaking generally about a company, 'Unternehmen' fits. If shared membership and mutual support are important, 'Genossenschaft' is more precise.
Herr Demir ist einer Genossenschaft beigetreten, um gemeinsam mit anderen Bauern Milch zu verkaufen.
Mr. Demir joined a cooperative in order to sell milk together with other farmers.
Das Unternehmen liefert jeden Morgen frisches Obst an Büros in der Stadt.
The company delivers fresh fruit to offices in the city every morning.