einholen

Einholen is a German verb with several related meanings, including to fetch or bring something in from another place, to obtain or procure information, offers, documents, or permissions, and to catch up with someone or something, such as in a race. The noun das Einholen denotes the act or process of obtaining or catching up.

Einholen is a separable-prefix verb. In main clauses the prefix is separated (Ich hole das Paket ein; Wir holen Informationen ein). In the perfect tense the past participle is eingeholt (Wir haben die Genehmigung eingeholt). The noun form Einholen is common in administrative or formal language, as in das Einholen von Angeboten or das Einholen von Auskünften.

Common contexts and usages include procurement and administration, where it describes the act of requesting or collecting something that is needed. Examples are Angebote einholen (to solicit offers), Unterlagen einholen (to obtain documents), and Erlaubnisse einholen (to obtain permissions). In everyday speech, Einholen can also describe catching up with someone: Wir holen dich gleich ein means we’ll catch up with you shortly.

The term contrasts with related verbs such as aufholen, which emphasizes reaching the same position after a delay rather than obtaining something. Beschaffen and Beschaffung are other related terms that focus more on the act of acquiring or procuring goods or services. Overall, Einholen covers both the act of obtaining information or documents and the act of catching up with someone, depending on context.