01
buchen
to book
To reserve or buy something in a binding way, for example a flight, a hotel room, or a ticket.
example
Wir haben für den Sommer eine Reise nach Italien gebucht.
We booked a trip to Italy for the summer.
buchen
to book
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'buchen' (to book/post) is closely related to 'das Buch' (book). Originally, it meant entering something into a book. This origin can still be seen today in accounting, when a business transaction is recorded.
EXAMPLE
Früher wurden alle Einnahmen von Hand in ein großes Buch gebucht.
In the past, all income was posted by hand in a large book.
Context clue
You can tell from context whether 'buchen' means 'to reserve' or 'to record in accounting.' Words like 'Reise' (trip), 'Flug' (flight), or 'Hotel' (hotel) point to a reservation, while 'Rechnung' (invoice), 'Konto' (account), or 'Betrag' (amount) refer to accounting.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe online einen Flug nach Berlin gebucht.
I booked a flight to Berlin online.
Typical collocations
In everyday life, 'buchen' is very often used in fixed combinations. Typical phrases are: 'einen Flug buchen' (to book a flight), 'ein Hotelzimmer buchen' (to book a hotel room), 'eine Reise buchen' (to book a trip), or 'Tickets für ein Konzert buchen' (to book tickets for a concert).
EXAMPLE
Wir sollten die Tickets für das Musical frühzeitig buchen.
We should book the tickets for the musical early.
Use in accounting
In the context of accounting, the preposition 'auf' is often used to indicate where something is posted. You post an amount to a specific account.
EXAMPLE
Bitte buchen Sie diese Ausgabe auf das Konto für Büromaterial.
Please post this expense to the office supplies account.
Sentence structure with 'als'
When something is mentally classified, 'buchen' is often used with the preposition 'als' (as) and an accusative object. You count something as a success or as an experience.
EXAMPLE
Den knappen Sieg konnte die Mannschaft als großen Erfolg buchen.
The team could count the narrow victory as a great success.
Compare with
buchen vs kaufen
to buy
'kaufen' and 'buchen' both have to do with paying for something or getting something in a binding way. You generally use 'kaufen' when you get an object in exchange for money, for example clothes, food, or a bicycle. You use 'buchen' especially for trips, appointments, courses, hotels, flights, or tickets. This often involves a reservation or a service for a specific time. Learners may confuse the words because you pay money in both cases. A simple rule is: you buy things, but you often book trips and seats.
buchen
Für den Sommer buchen wir heute die Zugtickets nach Hamburg.
Today we are booking the train tickets to Hamburg for the summer.
kaufen
Elif kauft am Montag ein neues Notizbuch für den Deutschkurs.
Elif buys a new notebook for the German course on Monday.
In real life
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