die Kundschaft
Translation
clientele, customers, client base
Examples
Der Laden hat eine treue Kundschaft.
The shop has a loyal clientele.
Die Kundschaft war sehr zufrieden.
The customers were very satisfied.
Grammar Patterns
to serve the customers (die Kundschaft bedienen) The salesperson serves the customers.
to have a loyal clientele (eine treue Kundschaft haben) The café has a loyal clientele.
Similar Words
Synonyms: die Kunden (the customers), das Klientel (clientele)
Etymology
Comes from 'Kunde' (customer) plus the suffix '-schaft', which indicates a group or collective, like '-ship' in English. It refers to the entire group of customers.
Memory Tips
The suffix '-schaft' often means a group, as in 'Mannschaft' (sports team). 'Kundschaft' is simply the 'team' of customers.