German word

einholen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaɪ̯nhoːlən/

Meaning

  • verbcatch up with

Example

Er hat mich eingeholt.

He caught up with me.

Illustration for einholen (catch up with)

More examples

Nach dem Fehlstart konnte der Läufer den Rückstand einholen.

After the false start, the runner was able to make up the deficit.

Core concept

A person behind closes the distance until reaching someone ahead, or brings a missing item back within reach.

Common phrases

  • Rückstand einholen

    make up lost ground

  • jemanden einholen

    catch up with someone

Similar words

aufholen: Make up a deficit and reach the same level.
erreichen: Reach a person, place, or goal.
überholen: Pass someone or a vehicle and move ahead.
nachholen: Make up later for something missed or left undone.

Definition in German

einen Rückstand aufholen oder etwas Verlorenes wiedererlangen

Word origin

Einholen combines the separable prefix ein- ('in') with holen ('fetch' or 'bring'), linking inward movement with catching up or bringing something back.

Usage tips

  • In a present-tense main clause, the prefix separates, as in 'Er holt mich ein'; the perfect uses haben and the participle 'eingeholt'.

Other meanings

  • obtainverb

Opposites

  • zurückbleibenfall behindverb

Related words

  • Einholungmaking up lost groundnoun
  • einholbarable to catch upadjective

Word lists with this word