gesell: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHistorical, Technical, Corporate (as part of proper name)
Quick answer
What does “gesell” mean?
A journeyman or young craftsman who has completed an apprenticeship but is not yet a master, in a German guild system.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A journeyman or young craftsman who has completed an apprenticeship but is not yet a master, in a German guild system.
In modern contexts, may refer to a traveling apprentice or, in specific historical references, a partner in a business (notably in the Volkswagen Group). The word is capitalized as it's a German loanword. It can occasionally be encountered in historical or specialized discussions of medieval guilds or in the company name 'Volkswagen Group'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally obscure in both varieties. Any usage would be in highly specialized historical or corporate contexts.
Connotations
Scholarly, historical, or corporate specificity.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general usage for both.
Grammar
How to Use “gesell” in a Sentence
[Gesell] (of [trade])the [Gesell] system[proper noun: Volkswagen Group]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost exclusively in the proper name 'Volkswagen Group'.
Academic
In historical studies of medieval European guilds and trade practices.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
In historical reenactment or discussions of traditional craftsmanship structures.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gesell”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gesell”
- Using it as a common English noun (e.g., 'He is a gesell').
- Mispronouncing it with a hard 'g' as in 'get'.
- Confusing it with the similar-sounding 'gazelle'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency loanword from German, used primarily in historical or very specific corporate contexts.
It is pronounced /ɡəˈzɛl/, with a soft 'g' similar to the 'g' in 'genre', and the stress on the second syllable.
An apprentice is still in training under a master. A Gesell (journeyman) has completed their apprenticeship and is qualified to work for wages but must often travel to gain experience before becoming a master.
'Volkswagen' means 'people's car'. The full original name was 'Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens' (Company for the Preparation of the German People's Car). 'Gesellschaft' means 'company' or 'society' and is etymologically related to 'Gesell' (fellow, companion).
A journeyman or young craftsman who has completed an apprenticeship but is not yet a master, in a German guild system.
Gesell is usually historical, technical, corporate (as part of proper name) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(None in English. German idioms like 'auf der Walz sein' relate to the concept.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Gesell' as a fellow (like 'colleague') who is a 'sell'-ing his skills after his apprenticeship - a journeyman.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/TRADE IS A JOURNEY (The Gesell travels to gain experience).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'Gesell' most likely to be encountered in modern English?