der
Zulauf
🌊 What Does 'der Zulauf' Mean?
The word der Zulauf generally describes a movement towards something or someone. It mainly has two meanings:
- Influx of people: 👥 It refers to a large number of people (customers, visitors, members, etc.) coming to a specific place or event. It's often used in the sense of popularity or great interest.
Example: Das neue Café hat großen Zulauf. (The new café is attracting a lot of customers / has a large influx of customers.) - Inflow of liquids: 💧 It describes the flowing of water or other liquids into a container, body of water, or system.
Example: Der Zulauf des Wassers in den Stausee wird reguliert. (The inflow of water into the reservoir is regulated.)
⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.
🧐 Grammar Focus: Der Zulauf
Der Zulauf is a masculine noun. It belongs to the strong declension group.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Zulauf |
| Genitive | des | Zulauf(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Zulauf(e) |
| Accusative | den | Zulauf |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Zuläufe |
| Genitive | der | Zuläufe |
| Dative | den | Zuläufen |
| Accusative | die | Zuläufe |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der starke Zulauf neuer Mitglieder freut den Verein sehr.
(The strong influx of new members makes the club very happy.) - Wegen des Regens stieg der Zulauf zum Fluss stark an.
(Because of the rain, the inflow to the river increased sharply.) - Der Ladenbesitzer hofft auf regen Zulauf während des Weihnachtsgeschäfts.
(The shop owner hopes for brisk custom/a large influx of customers during the Christmas business.) - Man muss den Zulauf am Ventil kontrollieren.
(One must control the inflow/inlet at the valve.)
💡 How to Use 'der Zulauf'
Der Zulauf is used to describe a movement towards a point or place.
- Context 'People': Often used in contexts like shops, events, clubs, political parties, or online platforms. A "großer Zulauf" or "reger Zulauf" means something is popular or receiving a lot of attention. Synonyms like Andrang or Ansturm can sound more intense.
- Context 'Liquids/Gases': Frequently used in technical or scientific fields, e.g., concerning water pipes, rivers, lakes, chemical processes, or ventilation systems. Here, it describes the physical process of flowing in.
Sometimes "Zulauf haben" is used idiomatically: "Das Festival hatte dieses Jahr enormen Zulauf." (The festival had a huge influx/attendance this year.)
🧠 Remember It: Der Zulauf
For the article 'der': Think of der Besucherstrom (the stream of visitors) or der Fluss (the river), both of which have a Zulauf (inflow/influx). Many things that flow or run ('laufen') in German are masculine (der Strom, der Lauf).
For the meaning: Imagine people or water running ('laufen') zu (towards) a place. The prefix 'Zu-' emphasizes the direction towards something.
🔄 Similar & Opposite: Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- For people: Abwanderung (exodus, emigration), Rückgang (decline, decrease), Flaute (lull, slump), Desinteresse (disinterest)
- For liquids/gases: Abfluss (outflow, drain), Auslauf (outlet, discharge), Ablauf (drain, runoff)
⚠️ Don't Confuse!
Auflauf: Can mean a gathering of people (often spontaneous, e.g., at an accident) or a casserole/baked dish. Not the same as the planned or steady Zulauf.
Umlauf: Refers to circulation (money, rumors, blood).
😄 A Little Chuckle
Fragt der eine Ladenbesitzer den anderen: "Wie läuft dein Geschäft?"
Antwortet der andere: "Super! Ich habe so viel Zulauf, ich überlege schon, Eintritt zu verlangen!"
Translation:
One shop owner asks the other: "How's business?"
The other replies: "Great! I have such a huge influx of customers, I'm already considering charging admission!"
✍️ Poetic Corner: Zulauf
Der Markt erwacht, die Türen auf,
es beginnt der rege Zulauf.
Kunden strömen, schauen, kaufen,
lassen ihre Euros laufen.
Auch der Bach zum See hin eilt,
sein Zulauf niemals lang verweilt.
Stetig fließt's, mal stark, mal schwach,
hin zum Ziel, tagaus, tagein, danach.
Translation:
The market awakes, the doors are open wide,
the busy influx starts inside.
Customers stream, they look, they buy,
letting their euros swiftly fly.
The stream towards the lake does race,
its inflow never slows its pace.
Steadily it flows, sometimes strong, sometimes weak,
towards its goal, day out, day in, so meek.
❓ Riddle Fun
Ich bring' Menschen an einen Ort,
oder Wasser, immerfort.
Mal bin ich stark, mal nur ein Hauch,
bin ich beliebt, freut man sich auch.
Was bin ich? (Lösung: der Zulauf)
Translation:
I bring people to a place,
or water, with constant pace.
Sometimes I'm strong, sometimes just a breath,
If I'm popular, joy is what one get'th.
What am I? (Answer: der Zulauf)
🧩 Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
The word "Zulauf" is a compound noun, composed of:
- zu: A preposition/prefix indicating a direction 'towards' something.
- Lauf: A noun derived from the verb 'laufen' (to run/walk), meaning movement, flow, run.
Together, they form the meaning of a movement or flow towards a point.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Zulauf?
The noun "Zulauf" is always masculine. The correct article is der. There are no other articles for this word. It means influx (of people) or inflow (of liquids).