sich etwas anschaffen
to acquire
To buy or acquire something, usually a larger or durable item for one's own use.
EXAMPLE
Wir wollen uns nächstes Jahr ein neues Auto anschaffen.
We want to acquire a new car next year.
anschaffen
to acquire / work as a prostitute
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Meanings
anschaffen gehen
to work as a prostitute
A colloquial euphemism for engaging in prostitution.
EXAMPLE
Sie musste anschaffen gehen, um ihre Schulden zu bezahlen.
She had to work as a prostitute to pay off her debts.
anschaffen
to order / command
An outdated or very formal word for giving an order or command.
EXAMPLE
Der Gutsherr schaffte an, dass die Feldarbeit sofort zu beginnen habe.
The lord of the manor ordered that the fieldwork was to begin immediately.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Anschaffen' is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'an-' goes at the end. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' goes between the prefix and the verb.
EXAMPLE
Wir schaffen uns einen neuen Fernseher an.
We are getting ourselves a new TV.
Reflexive use
In the meaning 'kaufen' (to buy), the verb is almost always used reflexively: 'sich (dative) etwas (accusative) anschaffen' (to get/acquire something for oneself). The 'sich' emphasizes that you are acquiring something for your own use.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mir letztes Jahr ein E-Bike angeschafft.
I got myself an e-bike last year.
Typical acquisitions
You typically 'schafft sich' larger, durable things, not everyday consumable goods. Common examples are furniture, a car, a pet, or technical devices.
EXAMPLE
Bevor wir uns einen Hund anschaffen, müssen wir die Wohnung vorbereiten.
Before we get ourselves a dog, we need to prepare the apartment.
Important context clue
Be careful: the fixed expression 'anschaffen gehen' is a colloquial euphemism for prostitution. It has nothing to do with shopping and should not be confused with it.
EXAMPLE
Der Dokumentarfilm zeigt das harte Leben von Frauen, die anschaffen gehen.
The documentary shows the hard life of women who work as prostitutes.
Outdated meaning
The meaning 'befehlen' (to command) or 'anordnen' (to order) is very rare today and is considered outdated. You almost only find it now in historical novels or old, formal texts.
EXAMPLE
Der General schaffte an, dass die Truppen vorrücken sollten.
The general ordered that the troops should advance.
Compare with
anschaffen vs kaufen
to buy
Kaufen generally refers to acquiring something in exchange for money. Sich etwas anschaffen also means buying something, but it usually emphasizes a larger or durable item that someone deliberately gets for their own use. Kaufen is more suitable when simply stating that a purchase was made.
anschaffen
Für meine neue Arbeit schaffe ich mir einen leistungsfähigen Laptop an.
I am getting a powerful laptop for my new job.
kaufen
Ich kaufe heute einen neuen Laptop im Elektronikmarkt.
I am buying a new laptop at the electronics store today.
In real life
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