die  Anschaffung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanʃafʊŋ/

🛍️ What does 'die Anschaffung' mean?

Die Anschaffung (noun, feminine) refers to the process of acquiring or purchasing something, usually items intended for longer use (e.g., Möbel - furniture, Geräte - appliances, Fahrzeuge - vehicles). It can also refer to the acquired item itself.

• Meaning 1: The act of purchasing or acquiring.
• Meaning 2: The item purchased or acquired.

The word is often used in the context of larger or more significant purchases.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar & Declension: Die Anschaffung

The word 'Anschaffung' is a feminine noun. The article is 'die'. Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German.

📝 Examples

1. Die Anschaffung eines neuen Autos war teuer.
   (The acquisition of a new car was expensive.)
2. Wir planen die Anschaffung neuer Büromöbel.
   (We are planning the purchase of new office furniture.)
3. Diese Maschine war eine lohnende Anschaffung.
   (This machine was a worthwhile purchase/acquisition.)
4. Die Kosten für notwendige Anschaffungen sind gestiegen.
   (The costs for necessary acquisitions/purchases have increased.)

💡 Everyday Usage

The term 'Anschaffung' is frequently used when talking about buying things that are not everyday purchases or have a certain value.

• Context: Often used for household appliances, furniture, real estate, vehicles, technical equipment, or even pets.
• Formality: Sounds a bit more formal than 'der Kauf' (the purchase/buy). It's often used in business contexts, budget planning, or official documents.
• Comparison:
  • Der Kauf: The most general term for acquiring something by paying. Can be used for anything (even small things like bread).
  • Die Anschaffung: Often emphasizes the aspect of 'getting something for oneself' ('sich etwas zulegen') that will be used long-term.
  • Der Erwerb: Similar to Anschaffung, often even more formal, can also include acquiring rights or knowledge.
• Typical Phrases: 'eine Anschaffung tätigen' (to make a purchase/acquisition), 'die Kosten der Anschaffung' (the cost of acquisition), 'notwendige Anschaffungen' (necessary purchases).

🧠 Mnemonics for Anschaffung

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine. Think of the English ending '-ing' often implying an action or process, maybe associate the feminine 'die' with the 'U' sound in '-ung' - 'Die' made a purchase ending in -ung. -> die Anschaffung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of 'an + schaffen'. 'Schaffen' can mean 'to create' or 'to manage/get done'. So, 'Anschaffung' is like managing to get something to ('an') yourself, acquiring it. It's the result ('-ung') of this 'getting'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Mann seine Frau: "Schatz, war die Anschaffung dieses riesigen Fernsehers wirklich nötig?"
Sie: "Aber sicher! Wo sollten wir sonst die Fernbedienung drauflegen?" 😉

Translation:
The husband asks his wife: "Honey, was the acquisition of this huge TV really necessary?"
She: "Of course! Where else would we put the remote control?" 😉

📜 Poem about Acquisition

Ein neues Sofa, welch ein Glück,
die Anschaffung, Stück für Stück.
Lange gespart, nun ist es hier,
ein Schmuckstück in dem Wohnrevier.
Der Lieferschein, die Quittung auch,
Beweis für diesen schönen Brauch:
Sich etwas Gutes zu besorgen,
vergessen sind des Alltags Sorgen.

Translation:
A new sofa, what luck,
the acquisition, piece by piece.
Long saved for, now it is here,
a gem in the living space.
The delivery note, the receipt too,
Proof of this lovely custom:
To get something good for oneself,
forgotten are the everyday worries.

❓ Riddle

Ich koste Geld, mal klein, mal groß,
mach' oft das Portemonnaie ganz bloß.
Ich bin der Akt, wenn Neues kommt ins Haus,
manchmal plan' ich's lang voraus.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I cost money, sometimes small, sometimes large,
often leaving the wallet quite bare.
I am the act when something new enters the house,
sometimes I plan it long in advance.

What am I?
(Answer: die Anschaffung)

➕ Other Information

• Verb: The corresponding verb is 'anschaffen' (to acquire/purchase something) or reflexive 'sich etwas anschaffen' (to get something for oneself). Example: Ich schaffe mir ein neues Fahrrad an. (I'm getting myself a new bicycle.)
• Plural: The plural 'die Anschaffungen' is used when talking about multiple purchased items or purchase processes (e.g., Die Anschaffungen für das neue Büro waren teuer. - The purchases for the new office were expensive.).
• Word Formation: Prefix 'an-' (towards) + Verb 'schaffen' (here meaning to bring, procure) + Suffix '-ung' (nominalization, turns verb into noun).