noun
trade union, labor union
B1
Gewerkschaft (noun, feminine) means trade union or labor union. It denotes organizations that represent workers’ interests, negotiate collective agreements and organize strikes. Plural is Gewerkschaften. Declension follows feminine patterns (die Gewerkschaft, der Gewerkschaft). Common in political and labor contexts; often appears with verbs like gründen, beitreten.
Examples
Er ist Mitglied der Gewerkschaft.
He is a member of the labor union.
Der Streik endete, weil die Geschäftsleitung mit der Gewerkschaft eine Einigung erzielte.
The strike ended because management reached an agreement with the union.
Die Gewerkschaft fordert höhere Löhne für die Angestellten.
The union is demanding higher wages for the employees.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine workers forming a craft (shaft) together — a union of workers
sounds like 'geh-VERK-shaft' — think 'work' in the middle (VERK ~ work) to remember union-related meaning
Die Gewerkschaft — picture the union banner in feminine colors to remember 'die'
Notes
Common term in workplace and political contexts; plural is 'Gewerkschaften'.