German word

einkaufen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaɪ̯nˌkaʊ̯fn̩/

Meaning

  • verbshop

Example

Ich kaufe oft im Supermarkt ein.

I often shop at the supermarket.

Illustration for einkaufen (shop)

More examples

Wir gehen am Samstag einkaufen.

We are going shopping on Saturday.

Core concept

A person moves through a shop or website, selects goods, and pays to take them home.

Common phrases

  • einkaufen gehen

    go shopping

  • im Supermarkt einkaufen

    shop at the supermarket

  • Lebensmittel einkaufen

    buy groceries

Similar words

kaufen: To purchase something by paying the required price for it.
einkaufen gehen: To go shopping, usually at a store or other retail place.
besorgen: To get or arrange something needed for a particular purpose.
bestellen: To request goods online or by phone and arrange to receive them.

Definition in German

in einem Geschäft oder online Waren oder Lebensmittel kaufen

Word origin

Einkaufen combines the separable prefix ein- with kaufen, giving the act of buying goods for one's needs a specific shopping sense.

Usage tips

  • In a main clause, einkaufen splits: Ich kaufe im Supermarkt ein; after a modal, the infinitive stays together, as in Ich muss einkaufen.

Other meanings

  • procureverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word