guild
Loading your saved state.
guild
An association of craftsmen of the same trade in the Middle Ages and the early modern period that represented economic, social, and political interests.
Im Mittelalter regelte die Zunft der Bäcker die Preise und die Qualität des Brotes.
In the Middle Ages, the bakers' guild regulated the prices and quality of bread.
You can recognize the meaning of 'Zunft' (guild) from the context. If people are talking about the Middle Ages and traditional crafts (e.g., bakers, blacksmiths), it refers to the historical association. If it refers to modern professions (e.g., doctors, lawyers), it is a figurative term.
Die Zunft der Schuhmacher hatte im Mittelalter großen Einfluss.
The shoemakers' guild had great influence in the Middle Ages.
When 'Zunft' (guild/profession) is used for a modern professional group, it often has a slightly ironic or critical undertone. It can suggest that the group thinks it is something better or protects its own interests.
Man kommt nur schwer gegen die Zunft der Anwälte an.
It is hard to stand up to the guild of lawyers.
In a historical context, 'Zunft' (guild) is often connected with traditional craft trades, for example 'die Zunft der Schneider' (the tailors' guild), 'die Zunft der Maurer' (the masons' guild), or 'die Zunft der Tischler' (the carpenters' guild).
Jeder Handwerker in der Stadt musste der entsprechenden Zunft beitreten.
Every craftsman in the city had to join the appropriate guild.
industry
'die Branche' and 'die Zunft' can both refer to a group in the working world. 'Branche' is the normal word for an industry or sector, for example 'die Reisebranche' (the travel industry) or 'die Lebensmittelbranche' (the food industry). 'Zunft' originally means a historical association of craftsmen. Today, it is also used figuratively for the members of a profession, often with a slightly critical or ironic tone. Learners may confuse the words because both concern groups of people connected by work. In neutral texts about business, 'Branche' usually fits. 'Zunft' fits more in historical contexts or when describing a professional group as a closed group.
Die Zunft der Bäcker hatte früher genaue Regeln für ihr Handwerk.
The bakers' guild used to have precise rules for their craft.
Nele interessiert sich für eine Ausbildung in der Reisebranche.
Nele is interested in training in the travel industry.