to buy up
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to buy up
To buy a large quantity or the entire available quantity of a product or commodity, often in order to control the market or for speculative reasons.
Vor dem Sturm haben die Leute alle Konserven und Wasserflaschen im Supermarkt aufgekauft.
Before the storm, people bought up all the canned food and water bottles in the supermarket.
'Aufkaufen' (to buy up) is a separable verb. The prefix 'auf-' comes at the end in main clauses. In subordinate clauses or infinitives, the verb stays together.
Ein großer Investor kauft alle verfügbaren Aktien auf.
A major investor buys up all available shares.
The prefix 'auf-' strengthens the verb 'kaufen' (to buy). It expresses that something is bought completely or in large quantities until nothing is left.
Er ging in drei verschiedene Läden, um die letzten Exemplare des Buches aufzukaufen.
He went to three different stores to buy up the last copies of the book.
The meaning depends on the object. If the verb refers to products or goods, e.g. 'Tickets' (tickets) or 'Vorräte' (supplies), it is about buying everything up. If it refers to companies, e.g. 'ein Konkurrent' (a competitor) or 'ein Start-up' (a start-up), it means 'to take over'.
Aus Angst vor dem Wintereinbruch kauften die Menschen das gesamte Streusalz auf.
Out of fear of the onset of winter, people bought up all the road salt.
to buy
'kaufen' and 'aufkaufen' both have to do with paying for and acquiring something. 'kaufen' is general: you buy one thing or several things. 'aufkaufen' means more than just buying. It means that someone acquires a large quantity, everything available, or even an entire company. Learners may confuse the words because 'aufkaufen' looks like a variant of 'kaufen'. The difference is the quantity or scope: 'aufkaufen' sounds like a very large amount or like control.
Ein großer Konzern hat mehrere kleine Firmen in der Region aufgekauft.
A large corporation bought up several small companies in the region.
Ich kaufe heute noch Brot und Milch für das Abendessen.
I'm going to buy bread and milk for dinner today.