der
Ankauf
🛍️ What does 'der Ankauf' mean?
Der Ankauf refers to the act of purchasing or acquiring goods, services, or rights. It's the noun form of the verb ankaufen (to purchase, to buy up).
Unlike the simple Kauf (purchase, buy), Ankauf often emphasizes a targeted, sometimes systematic or commercial acquisition. For example, it's commonly used when dealers buy used gold (Gold-Ankauf), used cars (Auto-Ankauf), or artworks.
There is only one article for this word: der Ankauf (masculine).
🧐 Grammar of 'der Ankauf' in Detail
The noun der Ankauf is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der Ankauf | ein Ankauf |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des Ankaufs / Ankaufes | eines Ankaufs / Ankaufes |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem Ankauf / Ankaufe | einem Ankauf / Ankaufe |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den Ankauf | einen Ankauf |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Ankäufe | Ankäufe |
| Genitive | der Ankäufe | Ankäufe |
| Dative | den Ankäufen | Ankäufen |
| Accusative | die Ankäufe | Ankäufe |
Example Sentences
- Der Ankauf von Rohstoffen ist teurer geworden.
(The purchase of raw materials has become more expensive.) - Viele Geschäfte bieten den Ankauf von gebrauchter Elektronik an.
(Many shops offer the purchase of used electronics.) - Der Staat fördert den Ankauf von Elektroautos.
(The state promotes the purchase of electric cars.) - Nach sorgfältiger Prüfung erfolgte der Ankauf des Gemäldes.
(After careful examination, the acquisition of the painting took place.) - Die Bibliothek tätigt regelmäßig Ankäufe neuer Bücher.
(The library regularly makes purchases of new books.)
🛒 Usage in Daily Life and Business
Der Ankauf is frequently used in business or more formal contexts:
- Retail/Trade: Shops that buy used goods (e.g., "Gold-Ankauf" - gold purchase, "Auto-Ankauf" - car purchase).
- Companies: Procurement of materials, goods, or other companies (acquisition).
- Institutions: Museums or libraries acquiring objects or books ("Neuzugänge durch Ankauf" - new additions through purchase).
- Real Estate: The acquisition of land or buildings.
In everyday language for simple shopping (like groceries), the word Kauf or the verb kaufen is more common. Ankauf often implies a conscious decision to acquire something specific, sometimes on a larger scale or as an investment.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Ankauf'
Here are some tips to remember the article and meaning:
Article Mnemonic: Think of DERealership making a big Ankauf (purchase) of cars. (Dealership could be associated with masculine 'der'). Or: He (masculine 'der') is making an important Kauf (purchase) -> der Ankauf.
Meaning Mnemonic: Ankauf sounds a bit like 'on call for' buying something. You are 'on call' to an-swer the need to kauf (buy). It's the act of purchasing, often initiated by the buyer.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Der Kauf: The general term for purchase/buy.
- Der Erwerb: Acquisition, slightly more formal, can also include rights or knowledge.
- Die Anschaffung: Acquisition, purchase, often for larger, durable goods (furniture, car).
- Die Akquisition / Akquise: Acquisition, mostly in a business context (company takeover, customer acquisition).
- Die Beschaffung: Procurement, often in a business/logistics context (material procurement).
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Der Verkauf: The sale (selling something).
- Die Veräußerung: Disposal, sale (formal term, often for real estate or shares).
- Der Absatz: Sales volume (quantity of products/services sold).
⚠️ Note: While Kauf and Ankauf are often interchangeable, Ankauf sometimes emphasizes the buyer's perspective more strongly, especially one who actively seeks out and acquires goods (like a dealer who ankauft gold).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Kunde den Antiquitätenhändler: "Ist der Ankauf von diesem alten Stuhl kompliziert?"
Antwortet der Händler: "Nein, nur das Aufstehen danach!"
(Customer asks the antique dealer: "Is the purchase (Ankauf) of this old chair complicated?"
Dealer replies: "No, just getting up afterwards!")
📜 Poem about the Purchase
Ob Gold, ob Kunst, ob altes Buch,
Der Ankauf lockt, man macht Besuch.
Der Händler prüft mit Kennerblick,
Bringt der Erwerb ihm Wohl und Glück?
Ein Preis genannt, die Hand geschlagen,
So ward der Schatz nach Haus getragen.
(Whether gold, art, or ancient book,
The purchase tempts, one takes a look.
The dealer checks with expert eye,
Will the acquisition bring fortune high?
A price is named, the deal is done,
The treasure's carried home, hard-won.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin das Gegenteil vom Verkauf,
nehm' Dinge gern in meinen Lauf.
Händler lieben mich gar sehr,
bring' ihnen Ware, mehr und mehr.
Was bin ich?(Auflösung: der Ankauf)
(I am the opposite of a sale,
I gladly take things on my trail.
Dealers love me very much,
Bringing them goods, with just a touch.
What am I?
(Solution: der Ankauf / the purchase))
🧩 Word Composition & More
Word Formation:
Der Ankauf is a nominalized verb (a noun formed from a verb). It derives from the verb ankaufen.
- an- (Prefix, here indicating the start or target of an action)
- kaufen (Verb: to buy something for money)
- Ankauf (Nominalization of the process)
Trivia:
The term "Ankauf" is particularly prominent in industries reliant on acquiring used or specialized goods, such as the art trade, antique shops, or the recycling sector.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ankauf?
The German word Ankauf is masculine. The correct article is der: der Ankauf. It means 'purchase' or 'acquisition', often used in a business or commercial context to describe the act of buying something, especially from the buyer's perspective.