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Gemeinwesen

community

noun ge-MINE-vay-zen Rare
People & Society Community

Origin: from gemein 'common' plus Wesen 'entity'

Also means

the commonwealth

Usage Note

Gemeinwesen is the community or body politic as an organised whole, a somewhat formal term used in civics and sociology. It is neuter, and the plural Gemeinwesen is unchanged. It overlaps with Gemeinschaft but stresses the institutional structure.

Examples

"Ein funktionierendes Gemeinwesen braucht engagierte Bürger."

Natural Translation

A functioning community needs committed citizens.

Literal Translation

A functioning community needs committed citizens.

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