der  Käufer

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkaʊ̯fɐ/

🛍️ What does "der Käufer" mean?

Der Käufer refers to a male person (or a person of unspecified gender in generic use, although forms like Käufer*in or Kaufende are increasingly used) who acquires something, meaning they receive goods or services in exchange for payment. It's the masculine counterpart to die Käuferin (the female buyer).

Essentially, it means a buyer or purchaser.

🚨 Attention: The word "Käufer" follows the N-declension (see Grammar section).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Käufer" in Detail

"Der Käufer" is a masculine noun belonging to the weak nouns (N-declension) group. This means it takes an -(e)n ending in all cases except the nominative singular.

📝 Example Sentences

• Der Käufer unterschrieb den Vertrag. (The buyer signed the contract. - Nom Sg)
• Die Unterschrift des Käufers fehlte noch. (The buyer's signature was still missing. - Gen Sg)
• Der Verkäufer gab dem Käufer die Ware. (The seller gave the goods to the buyer. - Dat Sg)
• Wir suchen den Käufer des roten Autos. (We are looking for the buyer of the red car. - Acc Sg)
• Die Käufer waren mit dem Preis zufrieden. (The buyers were satisfied with the price. - Nom Pl)
• Das sind die Wünsche der Käufer. (These are the wishes of the buyers. - Gen Pl)
• Die neuen Bedingungen wurden den Käufern mitgeteilt. (The new conditions were communicated to the buyers. - Dat Pl)
• Das Unternehmen befragt die Käufer regelmäßig. (The company surveys the buyers regularly. - Acc Pl)

🛒 When to use "Käufer"?

"Der Käufer" is mainly used in contexts related to commerce, business, and transactions.

• Business & Trade: In sales contracts (Kaufverträge), market analyses, real estate purchases, or retail, "der Käufer" is a key term. Example: Der Immobilienmakler berät den potenziellen Käufer. (The real estate agent advises the potential buyer.)
• Law: In legal documents describing a purchase act, the parties are clearly named as Käufer (buyer) and Verkäufer (seller). Example: Die Rechte des Käufers sind im BGB festgelegt. (The rights of the buyer are defined in the German Civil Code.)
• Everyday Language: The word is also used in daily conversation when someone buys something. Example: An der Kasse standen viele Käufer an. (Many buyers were queuing at the checkout.)

Distinctions:

• Käufer vs. Kunde: A Käufer performs a specific act of buying. A Kunde (customer) often has a longer-term relationship with a shop or service provider, but can also be a one-time buyer. Not every Kunde is a Käufer at every moment.
• Käufer vs. Konsument: A Konsument (consumer) is the end user of a product or service. The Käufer and the Konsument can be the same person, but don't have to be (e.g., someone buying a gift for someone else).

The feminine form is die Käuferin (plural: die Käuferinnen).

💡 Mnemonics for "der Käufer"

For the article 'der': Think of a buyer as *he* who buys; *he* in German often relates to *der*. Or, imagine *DER*ek is the *buyer*.

For the meaning 'Buyer': *Käufer* sounds a bit like 'coffer' (a strongbox for valuables). The *buyer* empties their 'coffer' (pays money) to get goods.

For the N-declension: Imagine the *buyer* is so *N*ervous or *N*eedy that he adds an 'N' everywhere except when he's just normally introduced (Nominative Sg): dem Käufer*n*, den Käufer*n*, des Käufer*n*.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Careful: Don't confuse *Käufer* (buyer) with *Kupfer* (copper).

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Verkäufer den Käufer: "Suchen Sie etwas Bestimmtes?"
Antwortet der Käufer: "Ja, den Ausgang!"

English Translation: The seller asks the buyer: "Are you looking for anything specific?"
The buyer replies: "Yes, the exit!"

📜 A Poem about the Buyer

German:
Der Käufer schaut, vergleicht und wählt,
hat oft die Qual, was ihm gefällt.
Mit Geld in der Hand, zum Laden er eilt,
der Käufer, der hofft, dass er gut verteilt.
Er prüft die Ware, den Preis, die Frist,
bevor er dann endlich zufrieden ist.
Der Verkäufer lächelt, der Handel ist klar,
dank dem entscheidungsfreudigen Käufer-Paar (oder einzeln war's nur).

English Translation:
The buyer looks, compares, and chooses,
often agonizes over what pleases.
With cash in hand, to the store he races,
the buyer, hoping for good places (for his money).
He checks the goods, the price, the date,
before at last, he feels content with his fate.
The seller smiles, the deal is done,
thanks to the decisive buying one (or two).

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich habe Geld, doch stell nichts her.
Ich nehme Ware, gebe Taler dafür her.
Der Handel lebt durch mich und mein Gegenstück.
Wer bin ich, wer tätigt das Kaufgeschick?

English Translation:
I have money, but produce nothing.
I take goods, give coins for something.
Trade lives through me and my counterpart.
Who am I, playing the buying art?

Solution: Der Käufer (The buyer)

🌐 Other Information

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

The word "Käufer" is derived from the verb "kaufen" (to buy). It consists of the verb stem "kauf-" (with an umlaut added: "käuf-") and the suffix "-er", which typically denotes male persons or agents performing an action.

• kaufen (verb) + -er (suffix) → der Käufer

Related Terms (Verwandte Begriffe):

• Kauf (der): The purchase, the act of buying.
• Einkauf (der): The shopping, the process of buying (often groceries etc.).
• Kaufkraft (die): Purchasing power.
• Kaufvertrag (der): Sales contract, purchase agreement.
• Käufermarkt (der): Buyer's market (a market where supply exceeds demand).