to buy up
Loading your saved state.
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.
to buy up
To acquire a company by buying the majority or all of its shares.
Der amerikanische Konzern plant, seinen deutschen Konkurrenten aufzukaufen.
The American corporation is planning to buy up its German competitor.
'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 take over / take on
For a company, both übernehmen and aufkaufen can refer to a change in control. Übernehmen is broader and can also mean taking over the management or control. Aufkaufen specifically refers to acquiring a company by buying the majority or all of its shares.
Der neue Konzern kauft das Unternehmen durch den Erwerb aller Anteile auf.
The new corporation buys up the company by acquiring all of its shares.
Der neue Konzern übernimmt die Kontrolle über das Unternehmen.
The new corporation takes control of the company.
