die  Einkehr

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaɪnˌkɛːɐ̯/

🏞️ What does "die Einkehr" mean?

The word die Einkehr primarily has two meanings:

1. Stopover or break: This refers to stopping during a journey (often a hike or drive) to refresh and rest at an inn, restaurant, or café. It's the act of stopping somewhere (einkehren) for food, drink, or rest.
2. Contemplation or introspection: This meaning is more metaphorical and describes a moment of quiet, reflection, self-examination, or inner composure. One pauses to find oneself or reflect on something.

Although both meanings exist, the first (the stopover) is often more common in everyday language, especially in the context of excursions and travel.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Einkehr

Die Einkehr is a feminine noun. It is mostly used in the singular. The plural "die Einkehren" is very rare and hardly ever used.

Example Sentences

• Nach der langen Wanderung freuten wir uns auf die Einkehr in der Berghütte.
  (After the long hike, we were looking forward to the stopover at the mountain hut.)
• In der Stille des Klosters fand er Zeit zur inneren Einkehr.
  (In the silence of the monastery, he found time for inner reflection.)
• Die Einkehr am Mittag tat uns allen gut.
  (The stopover at noon did us all good.)
• Manchmal braucht man eine Zeit der Einkehr, um neue Kraft zu schöpfen.
  (Sometimes you need a time of contemplation to recharge your batteries.)

💡 How "die Einkehr" is used

The use of die Einkehr depends heavily on the context:

• In a travel/leisure context: Here, "Einkehr" almost always means stopping at a restaurant or inn. People say "Einkehr halten" (to make a stopover) or "zur Einkehr einkehren" (to stop for a break). Example: "Lasst uns hier Einkehr halten." (Let's stop here.)
• In a spiritual/personal context: Here, "Einkehr" refers to moments of quiet and reflection. People talk about "innere Einkehr" (inner reflection) or "zur Einkehr kommen" (to find contemplation). Example: "Die Feiertage sind eine gute Zeit für die Einkehr." (The holidays are a good time for reflection.)

Distinction:

• Pause: Is more general and can be any kind of interruption, not necessarily involving refreshments.
• Rast: Similar to Einkehr (1st meaning), but often emphasizes the rest itself.
• Besinnung/Meditation: Are more specific terms for inner reflection (2nd meaning).

The related verb is einkehren: "Wir kehrten in einem gemütlichen Wirtshaus ein." (We stopped at a cozy inn.) or "Ruhe kehrte in ihm ein." (Calm returned to him / A sense of peace settled within him.)

🧠 Mnemonics for Einkehr

For the article: Die Einkehr is like die Pause (the break) or die Besinnung (the reflection) – both words describing similar concepts are also feminine. Imagine a female hiker (die Frau) stopping (Einkehr) at a hut.

For the meaning: Think of "in" and "care". When you stop for Einkehr (stopover), you go in somewhere and receive care (food/drink). For Einkehr (reflection), you turn your thoughts inward and take care of your mind.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Note: While Rast and Pause are often interchangeable, Einkehr specifically implies either stopping at an establishment or turning inwards.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum machen Skelette keine Einkehr in einem lauten Wirtshaus?

Weil sie keine Nerven für den Lärm haben und lieber die stille Einkehr bevorzugen! 😉

Translation:

Why don't skeletons stop for refreshments (Einkehr) in a noisy pub?

Because they don't have the nerves for the noise and prefer quiet (stille) reflection (Einkehr)! (Pun: "Nerven" means nerves, but also colloquially "guts/courage" or "patience")

📜 Poem about Einkehr

Müd' vom Wandern, schwer der Schritt,
Lockt die Hütte, komm doch mit!
Zur Einkehr lädt das Schild uns ein,
Bei Speis und Trank, bei Sonnenschein.

Doch auch im Stillen, ganz allein,
Kann tiefe Einkehr Labsal sein.
Der Geist wird ruhig, klar der Sinn,
Ein wertvoller Moment, ein Neubeginn.

Translation:

Tired from hiking, heavy the stride,
The hut beckons, come inside!
For a stopover (Einkehr), the sign invites,
With food and drink, in sunny lights.

But also in silence, all alone,
Deep reflection (Einkehr) can be solace known.
The mind grows calm, the senses clear,
A precious moment, a new start near.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Stopp auf langer Fahrt,
Oder ein Ruhen ganz zart.
Mal stärk' ich dich mit Speis' und Trank,
Mal füll' ich deinen inneren Tank.
Man hält mich gern nach Bergesklimmen,
Oder wenn Gedanken leise schwimmen.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: die Einkehr

Translation:

I am a stop on a long trip,
Or a resting, gentle slip.
Sometimes I strengthen you with food and drink,
Sometimes I fill your inner tank.
People like to have me after climbing mountains high,
Or when thoughts quietly swim by.

What am I?

Solution: die Einkehr (stopover / reflection)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Einkehr" is composed of:

• Prefix "ein-": indicates movement inward or the beginning of something.
• Verb stem "kehr": from the verb "kehren", which here means "to turn", "to turn towards" (not in the sense of sweeping!).

So, it literally describes "turning inward" (reflection) or "turning towards a place" (stopover).

Cultural Significance:

The Einkehr in inns and guesthouses has a long tradition in German-speaking regions, especially in hiking and mountain areas. It's part of the culture of travel and hospitality.