Kaufen

Kaufen is a German verb meaning to buy or to purchase. It is a transitive verb that takes a direct object in the accusative case. Common conjugations are: ich kaufe, du kaufst, er/sie/es kauft, wir kaufen, ihr kauft, sie/Sie kaufen. The simple past is kaufte, and the past participle is gekauft, used with haben: Ich habe heute Morgen einen Kaffee gekauft; Wir haben ein Auto gekauft.

Usage and nuances: Kaufen normally requires a concrete object, as in Ich kaufe einen Mantel. A related form, einkaufen, is separable and means to shop or to go shopping. In the present tense, the prefix moves to the end: Ich kaufe heute Abend ein. In the perfect tense the prefix can also appear: Er hat im Laden eingekauft. Kaufen can describe purchases made in stores or online, for example online kaufen or im Laden kaufen.

Etymology and related terms: Kaufen is derived from the noun Kauf (purchase) and is cognate with Dutch kopen and other Germanic roots. Related nouns include der Kauf (the purchase), der Käufer (the buyer), der Einkauf (the act of shopping), der Kaufpreis (purchase price) and die Kaufkraft (purchasing power).

Usage notes: In everyday language, kaufen covers both individual items and broader shopping contexts, while einkaufen often emphasizes the activity of shopping, particularly groceries or multiple items. The verb is widely used in German-speaking regions, including Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland.