die
Einfuhr
🚢 What exactly does "die Einfuhr" mean?
The word die Einfuhr (noun, feminine) describes the process or the result of bringing goods or services from abroad into a specific economic area (e.g., a country). It translates directly to import or importation.
- The process: The act of importing itself.
- The result: The imported goods or services as a whole.
It's a central term in foreign trade (Außenhandel) and economics (Wirtschaft). Example: Die Einfuhr von Elektronik aus Asien ist stark gestiegen. (The import of electronics from Asia has significantly increased.)
⚠️ Don't confuse it with "Einfall" (idea, invasion) or "Einfahrt" (entrance, driveway).
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Einfuhr
"Einfuhr" is a feminine noun and always uses the article "die". It's mostly used in the singular. The plural form "die Einfuhren" usually refers to multiple specific import processes or types of goods.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Einfuhr |
| Genitive | der | Einfuhr |
| Dative | der | Einfuhr |
| Accusative | die | Einfuhr |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Einfuhren |
| Genitive | der | Einfuhren |
| Dative | den | Einfuhren |
| Accusative | die | Einfuhren |
📝 Real-life Examples
- Die Regierung kontrolliert die Einfuhr bestimmter Güter.
(The government controls the import of certain goods.) - Die hohen Zölle erschweren die Einfuhr.
(The high tariffs make import difficult.) - Der Wert der jährlichen Einfuhren übersteigt den der Ausfuhren. (Plural)
(The value of annual imports exceeds that of exports.) - Wir müssen die Papiere für die Einfuhr vorbereiten.
(We need to prepare the documents for the import.)
🌐 When and how to use "Einfuhr"?
"Die Einfuhr" is primarily used in contexts related to economics (Wirtschaft), trade (Handel), customs (Zoll), and logistics (Logistik).
- Foreign Trade: When discussing international trade relations (e.g., Einfuhrbestimmungen - import regulations, Einfuhrgenehmigung - import license, Einfuhrzoll - import duty).
- Economic Statistics: To describe flows of goods and trade balances (e.g., Statistik der Einfuhren - statistics of imports).
- Customs Procedures: When handling shipments across borders (e.g., die Einfuhr anmelden - to declare the import).
Comparison with "Import": "Import" is often a synonym for "Einfuhr", but is sometimes used more specifically for the imported goods themselves, whereas "Einfuhr" emphasizes the process more strongly. However, in everyday language, they are largely interchangeable.
Compound Words (Komposita): "Einfuhr" very often forms the first part of compound words, e.g.: Einfuhrabgabe (import levy), Einfuhrverbot (import ban), Einfuhrumsatzsteuer (import turnover tax), Wareneinfuhr (goods import).
🧠 Mnemonics for Einfuhr
Article "die": Think of shipping, delivery, or even logistics - many related concepts might feel 'feminine' or connected to feminine German words like 'die Fracht' (the freight), 'die Ware' (the goods), 'die Lieferung' (the delivery). Link die Einfuhr to these ideas.
Meaning "import": Imagine goods being driven ('fahren') 'in' ('ein') to the country using a cart ('Fuhre' is an old word related to 'fahren'/transport). 'Ein' + 'Fuhre' = Einfuhr (bringing in).
🔄 Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Same Meaning)
- Import (most common synonym, often interchangeable)
- Importation (slightly more formal, less common)
- Wareneinfuhr (emphasizes that it's about goods)
- Hereinbringen (more colloquial term for the act of bringing in)
Related Terms
- Zoll: Customs duty levied on the import (or export) of goods.
- Handelsbilanz: Trade balance, the comparison of a country's imports and exports.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Zollbeamte schlechte Laune? Weil er ständig mit negativen Bilanzen zu tun hat – zu viel Einfuhr von Problemen und zu wenig Ausfuhr von Lösungen! 😉
(Why is the customs officer in a bad mood? Because he constantly deals with negative balances – too much import (Einfuhr) of problems and too little export of solutions!)
📜 A Poem about Einfuhr
Von fernem Land, per Schiff, per Bahn,
kommt Ware hier im Hafen an.
Der Zoll schaut drauf, es ist kein Stuss,
das nennt man Einfuhr, zum Genuss.
Gewürze, Technik, Stoffe fein,
so kommt die Welt zu uns herein.
(From distant lands, by ship, by train,
goods arrive here in the port again.
Customs checks them, it's no fuss,
that's called import [Einfuhr], for all of us.
Spices, tech, and fabrics fine,
this way the world comes to combine.)
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich bringe Dinge über die Grenz',
beleb' den Handel, schaff' Frequenz.
Mein Gegenteil bringt's außer Land.
Wie werd' ich mit 'die' genannt?
(I bring things across the border,
enliven trade, create order.
My opposite takes things away.
What am I called with 'die', pray?)
Solution: die Einfuhr
🧩 Word Components & Trivia
Word Composition: The word "Einfuhr" is composed of:
- ein-: Prefix indicating movement into or the beginning of something.
- Fuhre: Noun derived from the verb 'fahren' (to drive, travel) or related to 'Fuhre' (a load, transport). It literally describes the 'driving in' or 'bringing in' of goods.
Interesting Fact: The balance between Einfuhr (import) and Ausfuhr (export) is a key indicator of a country's economic health.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Einfuhr?
The word "Einfuhr" is feminine, so the correct article is die. It is die Einfuhr (singular) and die Einfuhren (plural).