Gottesdienst im Autoscooter auf der Bremer Osterwiese

What does “eingeschworene Gemeinschaft” mean in German?

The pastor admires the fairground workers and calls them “eine eingeschworene Gemeinschaft.” It sounds gentle, but it is strong praise: he means a close, loyal group that sticks together and lets outsiders in slowly. The literal idea is “a sworn-together community” — people bound by their shared life travelling together. That is a far stronger bond than just being good colleagues.

In the clip: “…sind eine eingeschworene Gemeinschaft, sehr bodenständig” — “…are a tight-knit, loyal group, very down-to-earth.” (He is talking about the fairground workers.) “eingeschworen” means people are deeply bonded and stand by each other. A few ways it gets used: - Wir sind eine eingeschworene Gemeinschaft. — We’re a tight, loyal group. - Das Team ist eingeschworen. — The team really sticks together. - eine eingeschworene Gruppe von Freunden — a close, loyal circle of friends It is warm praise, but it also hints that the group is closed and slow to welcome newcomers. “bodenständig” right after means down-to-earth, modest, with both feet on the ground.