German word

Anschaffung

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈanʃafʊŋ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounpurchase

Example

Für die Anschaffung eines neuen Fahrrads spare ich jeden Monat.

I save every month to buy a new bicycle.

Illustration for Anschaffung (purchase)

More examples

Die Anschaffung professioneller Software steigerte die Produktivität.

The purchase of professional software increased productivity.

Core concept

A useful possession is obtained for continued use rather than for immediate consumption.

Common phrases

  • eine Anschaffung tätigen

    make a purchase

  • sich zur Anschaffung entschließen

    decide to make the purchase

  • auf die Anschaffung verzichten

    forgo the purchase

Similar words

Kauf: The act of obtaining something by paying for it.
Einkauf: Buying goods from a shop or online as part of a shopping activity.
Anschaffungskosten: The costs incurred when buying an item, including its initial outlay.

Definition in German

Anschaffung ist ein formeller Ausdruck für das Tätigen eines Kaufs oder die Beschaffung von Gebrauchsgütern, besonders in Haushalts- oder Buchhaltungskontexten.

Word origin

The noun Anschaffung is derived from anschaffen, which combines an- with the Germanic verb schaffen, meaning to make or produce.

Usage tips

  • The common pattern sich etwas anschaffen uses an accusative object and often presents the acquisition as being for personal use.

Other meanings

  • acquisitionnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • anschaffenpurchaseverb
  • Anschaffungskostenacquisition costsnoun

Word lists with this word