die  Einbauküche

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaɪ̯nbaʊ̯ˌkʏçə/

🛋️ What exactly is an Einbauküche?

An Einbauküche (often abbreviated as EBK) is a fitted kitchen. This means the furniture (like cabinets, countertops) and often the major appliances (like the stove, refrigerator, dishwasher) are precisely built into a room to fit its specific dimensions. It forms a fixed unit.

Unlike a modular kitchen (Modulküche) or freestanding kitchen elements, an Einbauküche cannot be easily rearranged or taken with you when moving. It's permanently installed.

The article is always die, because the base word Küche (kitchen) is feminine: die Küche -> die Einbauküche.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of Einbauküche

The word "Einbauküche" is a feminine noun. The definite article is die.

Declension

Here's how it declines (changes form) in different grammatical cases:

Example Sentences

1. Unsere neue Wohnung hat eine moderne Einbauküche.
   (Our new apartment has a modern fitted kitchen.)
2. Der Preis für die Einbauküche war im Mietvertrag enthalten.
   (The price for the fitted kitchen was included in the rental agreement.)
3. Wir planen den Kauf einer Einbauküche mit Kochinsel.
   (We are planning to buy a fitted kitchen with a kitchen island.)
4. Die Qualität vieler Einbauküchen ist heutzutage sehr hoch.
   (The quality of many fitted kitchens is very high nowadays.)

💡 Everyday Usage

The term Einbauküche is frequently used in specific contexts:

• Real estate listings: Apartments or houses are often advertised "mit EBK" (mit Einbauküche - with fitted kitchen). It's an important feature.
• Kitchen showrooms & furniture stores: This is where people plan and buy their Einbauküchen.
• Craftsmanship: Carpenters and installers (Monteure) install fitted kitchens.
• General conversation: When talking about the fixed, installed kitchen one uses or intends to buy.

Compared to a Küchenzeile (kitchenette or kitchen unit), an Einbauküche is often more comprehensive and custom-built. A Pantryküche is a very small, minimally equipped fitted kitchen.

🧠 Mnemonics

Mnemonic for the article: Think of die Küche (the kitchen) - it's feminine. Even when it's built-in (eingebaut), it remains 'the kitchen', so it's die Einbauküche.

Mnemonic for the meaning: The kitchen is firmly eingebaut (built-in) into the room; it's not freestanding. It's a built-in kitchen: Einbau-Küche.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A Little Kitchen Joke

Fragt der Tischler den Kunden: "Soll ich Ihnen die Einbauküche auf Maß anfertigen?"
Sagt der Kunde: "Nein danke, lieber auf Rechnung!"

(The carpenter asks the customer: "Should I make the fitted kitchen 'auf Maß' (made to measure) for you?"
The customer replies: "No thanks, I'd prefer 'auf Rechnung' (on account/invoice)!" - It's a pun, as 'auf Maß' sounds like 'auf Maßkrug' (on a beer mug) in some contexts, but the intended pun is the misunderstanding of 'auf...'.)

✍️ Poem about the Einbauküche

Schrank an Schrank, so schön gereiht,
Alles passt, zur rechten Zeit.
Der Herd, die Spüle, fest im Ort,
Die Einbauküche, welch Komfort.
Kein Spalt, kein Wackeln, alles glatt,
Macht Kochen, Backen niemals matt.

(Cabinet by cabinet, lined up so neat,
Everything fits, oh what a treat.
The stove, the sink, fixed in their place,
The fitted kitchen, such comfort and grace.
No gaps, no wobbles, everything's smooth,
Makes cooking and baking never feel uncouth.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin fest im Haus verankert,
mit Schrank und Herd perfekt flankiert.
Man kocht und spült in meinem Reich,
ich passe in die Ecke, weich und gleich.
Man plant mich oft nach Maß und Raum.
Was bin ich wohl, du ahnst es kaum?

(I am firmly anchored in the house,
perfectly flanked by cabinet and stove.
People cook and wash dishes in my realm,
I fit into the corner, smooth and even.
I am often planned according to measure and space.
What am I, you can hardly guess?)

Solution: die Einbauküche (the fitted kitchen)

🧩 Further Details on Einbauküche

Word Composition

The word "Einbauküche" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Einbau: Derived from the verb einbauen (to build in, install, fit).
• Küche: (Kitchen) The room or facility for preparing food.

Typical Components

A typical Einbauküche often includes:

• Unterschränke (base cabinets) and Oberschränke (wall cabinets)
• Arbeitsplatte (countertop)
• Spüle (sink)
• Integrated electrical appliances (Elektrogeräte) like stove (Herd), oven (Backofen), extractor hood (Dunstabzugshaube), refrigerator (Kühlschrank), dishwasher (Geschirrspüler)