crowd / flock
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crowd / flock
A larger, often hard-to-overview group of living beings, especially people or birds, that are moving together or have gathered.
Eine Schar von Kindern stürmte auf den Spielplatz.
A crowd of children rushed onto the playground.
followers
(figurative) A group of supporters, admirers, or disciples who follow a person.
Der berühmte Professor war immer von einer Schar seiner Studenten umgeben.
The famous professor was always surrounded by a crowd of his students.
troop
(historical) A unit of soldiers or an armed group in earlier times.
Im Mittelalter zog der Ritter mit seiner Schar treuer Krieger in die Schlacht.
In the Middle Ages, the knight rode into battle with his troop of loyal warriors.
The word 'Schar' (crowd/flock) is very often used in the construction 'eine Schar von' + plural noun to describe the composition of the group.
Eine Schar von neugierigen Touristen versammelte sich vor dem Denkmal.
A crowd of curious tourists gathered in front of the monument.
The plural form is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'in Scharen'. This means that very many living beings come to a place at the same time.
Die Fans strömten in Scharen ins Stadion, um das Finale zu sehen.
The fans streamed into the stadium in droves to watch the final.
'Schar' (crowd/flock) is often used in a vivid or literary style to describe a lively and sometimes somewhat unorganized group.
Eine bunte Schar von Künstlern bevölkerte das Festivalgelände.
A colorful crowd of artists filled the festival grounds.
In this meaning, 'Schar' (crowd/flock) describes a group that is together by chance or temporarily. By contrast, a 'Schar von Anhängern' (crowd of followers) refers to a group connected by a shared idea or person.
Jeden Morgen fliegt eine Schar von Krähen über unser Haus.
Every morning, a flock of crows flies over our house.
troop / troupe
In modern usage, Truppe is a common general term for a military unit. Schar can also mean an armed group, but in this sense it sounds historical and less like a technical military term. Truppe is therefore usually appropriate for present-day soldiers, while Schar is more suitable for a historical portrayal.
In der alten Geschichte zog eine bewaffnete Schar durch das Land.
In the old story, an armed band moved through the land.
Die Truppe kehrte nach dem Einsatz am Abend in das Lager zurück.
The troops returned to the camp in the evening after the mission.
