der  Einkauf

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaɪnˌkaʊf/

🛍️ What does "der Einkauf" mean?

The word der Einkauf (noun, masculine) has two main meanings:

1. The process of buying: The act of acquiring goods or services, often used in the sense of "shopping" or "going shopping".
2. The purchased goods themselves: The result of the buying process; the sum of things one has bought.

It derives from the verb einkaufen (to shop, to buy).

🚨 Attention: Don't confuse it with der Kauf, which often refers to a specific, single purchase agreement or a larger item, whereas der Einkauf more commonly refers to the everyday acquisition of consumer goods (groceries, etc.) or the process itself.

🧐 Grammar of "der Einkauf" in Detail

The noun "Einkauf" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

💡 Example Sentences

• Nominative: Der Einkauf war heute sehr günstig. (The shopping/purchase was very cheap today.)
• Genitive: Der Wert des Einkaufs betrug über 50 Euro. (The value of the purchase was over 50 Euros.)
• Dative: Nach dem Einkauf ging sie nach Hause. (After the shopping/purchase, she went home.)
• Akkusative: Ich erledige schnell den Einkauf. (I'll do the shopping quickly.)
• Plural: Sie musste viele Einkäufe tragen. (She had to carry many purchases/bags of shopping.)

🛒 How to use "der Einkauf"?

"Der Einkauf" is a very common word in German.

• Everyday Shopping: Most often used for buying groceries and other daily necessities. Example: "Ich mache am Samstag meinen Wocheneinkauf." (I do my weekly shopping on Saturday.)
• The Act of Buying: It describes the process itself. Example: "Der Einkauf dauerte länger als erwartet." (The shopping took longer than expected.)
• The Purchased Goods: It can also refer to the sum of the items bought. Example: "Stell den Einkauf bitte in die Küche." (Please put the shopping/groceries in the kitchen.)
• Business Context: In a business environment, "Einkauf" often refers to the purchasing department or the strategic procurement of goods/services for a company. Example: "Der Einkauf hat neue Lieferantenverträge ausgehandelt." (The purchasing department has negotiated new supplier contracts.)

Typical Collocations:

• einen Einkauf machen/tätigen/erledigen (to do the shopping)
• zum Einkauf gehen (to go shopping)
• der wöchentliche Einkauf (the weekly shopping)
• der Großeinkauf (bulk buying, big shopping trip)

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Einkauf"

Remembering the Article:

Imagine a strong man (associated with 'der') carrying the heavy Einkauf (shopping bags). 'Der Mann macht den Einkauf.'

Remembering the Meaning:

Einkauf: Think of going 'in' ('ein') a shop to 'kauf' (buy) something. That's your 'Einkauf'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Although similar, contexts often differ. "Der Einkauf" is usually more everyday than "die Anschaffung".

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette keine Einkäufe mit nach Hause?
Weil sie keine Körper haben, um sie zu tragen!

(Why don't skeletons take shopping home? Because they have no body to carry it!)

📜 Poem about Shopping (der Einkauf)

Mit Korb und Liste, froh im Sinn,
beginnt der Einkauf, mittendrin.
Regale voll, die Qual der Wahl,
Obst, Gemüse, ohne Zahl.
An der Kasse dann die Last,
die Tüten schwer, es braucht fast Hast.
Zuhause dann, welch ein Genuss,
beginnt mit dem Gekochten der Kuss.

(With basket and list, happy in mind,
the shopping begins, right in the grind.
Shelves are full, the agony of choice,
Fruit, vegetables, without a voice.
At the checkout then the load,
the bags heavy, almost need a goad.
At home then, what a delight,
begins with the cooked food the kiss [of enjoyment].)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ein Vorgang, mal schnell, mal lang,
und auch das Ergebnis, nicht selten bang (für den Geldbeutel).
Man trägt mich oft in Tüten heim,
mal bin ich groß, mal bin ich klein.

Was bin ich? → Der Einkauf

(I am a process, sometimes fast, sometimes long,
and also the result, often causing angst (for the wallet).
People often carry me home in bags,
sometimes I'm big, sometimes I'm small.

What am I?
→ The shopping / The purchase)

🧩 Word Building & More

Word Composition:

The word "Einkauf" is a nominalized verb (a verb turned into a noun). It is formed from:

• Prefix ein-: Indicates movement inwards, or the start of an action.
• Verb stem kauf (from kaufen - to buy)

This structure is common in German (e.g., der Anruf - the call, der Verkauf - the sale, der Einlass - the admission).

Cultural Note: The "Wocheneinkauf" (weekly shopping), often done on Saturdays, is a regular routine in many German households.