die  Beschaffung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈʃafʊŋ/

📚 What does "die Beschaffung" mean?

Die Beschaffung (feminine noun) refers to the process of acquiring or providing goods, services, information, or resources that are needed. It's a central term in business (Wirtschaft), especially in purchasing (Einkauf) and logistics (Logistik), but can also be used more generally for getting things.

• Main meaning: The act of obtaining, acquiring, or procuring something necessary (e.g., materials, information, capital).
• Context: Often used in a corporate environment (e.g., Materialbeschaffung - material procurement, Personalbeschaffung - personnel procurement/recruitment), but also privately (e.g., die Beschaffung von Informationen - the procurement of information).

⚠️ There is only one article for this word: die Beschaffung.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Beschaffung" in Detail

"Beschaffung" is a feminine noun. The ending "-ung" almost always indicates a feminine noun (die).

Example Sentences

1. Die Beschaffung von Rohstoffen ist teurer geworden.
   (The procurement of raw materials has become more expensive.)
2. Unsere Abteilung ist für die Beschaffung neuer Computer zuständig.
   (Our department is responsible for procuring new computers.)
3. Die Beschaffung von Informationen kann zeitaufwendig sein.
   (Obtaining information can be time-consuming.)
4. Effiziente Beschaffungen sind entscheidend für den Unternehmenserfolg.
   (Efficient procurements are crucial for business success.)

💡 How is "die Beschaffung" used?

"Beschaffung" is primarily used in more formal contexts, especially when referring to organized processes:

• Business/Companies: Here, it's a core term for the purchasing of goods, materials, services (e.g., öffentliche Beschaffung - public procurement, strategische Beschaffung - strategic procurement, Beschaffungsmanagement - procurement management).
• Administration/Authorities: Procurement of office supplies, equipment, services for public institutions.
• Logistics: Beschaffungslogistik (procurement logistics) as part of the supply chain.
• Human Resources: Sometimes used in the sense of Personalbeschaffung (recruitment), although more specific terms like Personalgewinnung or Recruiting are often preferred.
• Everyday language: Less common, usually when obtaining something is somewhat complex or has an official character (e.g., die Beschaffung eines Visums - obtaining a visa).

Difference from Einkauf: While der Einkauf often refers to the everyday act of buying (also privately) or the purchasing department in a company, die Beschaffung is the broader, more strategic process of providing resources.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Beschaffung"

For the article (die): Think of other German nouns ending in "-ung", like die Rechnung (the bill), die Wohnung (the apartment), die Handlung (the action). Nouns ending in "-ung" are almost always feminine (die). So, die Beschaffung fits the pattern!

For the meaning: "Beschaffung" contains the verb "schaffen", which can mean 'to manage' or 'to create', but here more like 'to get' or 'to procure'. Imagine you have *to manage* (schaffen) *to get* something – that's Beschaffung, the act of procuring it.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar words:

• Schaffung: Means creation (e.g., die Schaffung von Arbeitsplätzen - the creation of jobs) – not procurement!

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef den Einkäufer: "Warum dauert die Beschaffung der neuen Kaffeemaschine so lange?" Antwortet der Einkäufer: "Strategische Beschaffung! Ich verhandle noch über die Garantie für die Tassenwärmerfunktion."

English: The boss asks the buyer: "Why is the procurement of the new coffee machine taking so long?" The buyer replies: "Strategic procurement! I'm still negotiating the warranty for the cup warmer function."

✍️ Poem about Beschaffung

German:
Die Liste lang, das Ziel ist klar,
Was fehlt, muss her, ganz wunderbar.
Die Beschaffung, gut geplant,
Bringt Material ins ganze Land.
Vom Rohstoff bis zum Endprodukt,
Ein Prozess, der klug verzückt.
Damit die Firma weiterläuft,
Und nichts sich unnötig häuft.

English:
The list is long, the goal is clear,
What's missing must be brought right here.
Procurement, well-planned and neat,
Brings materials down the street.
From raw resource to final good,
A process wisely understood.
So that the company keeps pace,
And nothing piles up out of place.

🧩 Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin ein Prozess, oft im Büro,
Ich bringe Dinge her, sowieso.
Ob Material, ob Dienst, ob Wissen,
Ohne mich würd' man viel vermissen.
Im Einkauf bin ich groß geschrieben,
Damit die Güter uns verblieben.

Wie heiß' ich, feminin und klug?

English:
I am a process, often in an office found,
I bring things in, all year round.
Whether material, service, or information's quest,
Without me, you'd miss much, put to the test.
In purchasing, I play a major part,
Ensuring needed goods make a fresh start.

What am I called, feminine and smart?
(Solution: die Beschaffung)

➕ Other Information

Word Formation:

• The word "Beschaffung" is derived from the verb beschaffen (to procure, obtain).
• be-: Prefix often indicating an action performed on an object or a change.
• schaffen: Here in the sense of 'to obtain', 'to procure', 'to organize'.
• -ung: Suffix used to form nouns from verbs, usually denoting a process or its result. These nouns are almost always feminine (die).

Contextual Meaning: The exact nuance can vary slightly depending on the context (e.g., Informationsbeschaffung - information gathering vs. Materialbeschaffung - material procurement).