die Gruppe
group
A number of people or things that are together, belong together, or form a unit.
EXAMPLE
Eine Gruppe von Touristen wartete vor dem Museum.
A group of tourists was waiting in front of the museum.
die Gruppe
group
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Meanings
die Gruppe
group
In chemistry, a column in the periodic table of elements whose elements have similar chemical properties.
EXAMPLE
Helium und Neon gehören zur Gruppe der Edelgase.
Helium and neon belong to the group of noble gases.
die Gruppe
squad
A small military unit that typically consists of eight to twelve soldiers and is led by a non-commissioned officer.
EXAMPLE
Der Feldwebel gab seiner Gruppe den Befehl zum Vorrücken.
The sergeant gave his squad the order to advance.
die Gruppe
group
In mathematics, an algebraic structure consisting of a set and an operation that satisfies certain axioms.
EXAMPLE
Die Menge der ganzen Zahlen bildet mit der Addition eine Gruppe.
The set of integers forms a group under addition.
Usage tips
Context clues
The exact meaning of 'Gruppe' (group) is usually clear from the context. Words like 'Touristen' (tourists) or 'Freunde' (friends) point to the general meaning, while terms like 'Elemente' (elements) or 'Soldaten' (soldiers) indicate specialized language.
EXAMPLE
Eine Gruppe von Wissenschaftlern diskutierte die Ergebnisse.
A group of scientists discussed the results.
Word family
The noun 'Gruppe' (group) is the basis for other useful words. These include the verb 'gruppieren' (to arrange in groups) and the compound noun 'die Gruppenarbeit' (group work).
EXAMPLE
Der Lehrer gruppierte die Schüler für das Projekt neu.
The teacher regrouped the students for the project.
Specialized language
The meanings in chemistry, the military, or mathematics are specific technical terms. In normal everyday life, you will almost exclusively encounter the general meaning 'Ansammlung von Personen oder Dingen' (collection of people or things).
EXAMPLE
In der Chemie werden die Elemente im Periodensystem in Gruppen eingeteilt.
In chemistry, the elements in the periodic table are divided into groups.
Typical collocations
In the general meaning, 'Gruppe' (group) is often combined with certain verbs. Common phrases are 'eine Gruppe bilden' (to form a group), 'in einer Gruppe arbeiten' (to work in a group), or 'zu einer Gruppe gehören' (to belong to a group).
EXAMPLE
Er möchte gern zu unserer Lerngruppe gehören.
He would like to belong to our study group.
Important prepositions
Pay attention to the prepositions. 'In einer Gruppe' describes membership or activity. 'Eine Gruppe von ...' describes what the group consists of.
EXAMPLE
In dieser Gruppe fühlen sich alle sehr wohl.
Everyone feels very comfortable in this group.
Compare with
GesellschaftTeamMengeKreisMannschaftKategorieGemeinschaftCommunityTruppeFraktionHaufenEnsembleChannelGruppierungQuartettSchubClusterCliqueTruppPersonengruppeHaufeSchaar
Gruppe vs Gesellschaft
society / company
Gesellschaft and Gruppe can both refer to several people who are together. Gesellschaft emphasizes being together or having social company, while Gruppe describes the people more as a collective unit. Use Gesellschaft for pleasant company and Gruppe for a neutral group of people.
Gruppe
Auf dem Foto steht eine Gruppe von Freunden vor dem Hotel.
A group of friends is standing in front of the hotel in the photo.
Gesellschaft
Auf der Reise genoss ich die Gesellschaft meiner Freunde.
I enjoyed the company of my friends during the trip.
In real life
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