einfahren
to enter
To drive or move into a specific, often enclosed area with a vehicle.
EXAMPLE
Der Zug fährt pünktlich in den Bahnhof ein.
The train enters the station on time.
einfahren
to enter / bring in / retract
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Meanings
einfahren
to bring in
To gather the harvest from the field and bring it to a storage place.
EXAMPLE
Die Bauern hoffen, das Heu noch vor dem Regen einzufahren.
The farmers hope to bring in the hay before the rain.
einfahren
to bring in
To achieve a particular result, especially a profit or loss in a competition or economic activity.
EXAMPLE
Das Unternehmen konnte im letzten Quartal einen hohen Gewinn einfahren.
The company was able to bring in a high profit last quarter.
einfahren
to retract
To move a movable part back into its starting position or pull it into a housing.
EXAMPLE
Der Pilot hat das Fahrwerk des Flugzeugs eingefahren.
The pilot retracted the airplane's landing gear.
einfahren
to break in
To use a new vehicle or machine carefully at first so that the moving parts can settle in together.
EXAMPLE
Du musst den neuen Motor die ersten tausend Kilometer langsam einfahren.
You have to break in the new engine slowly for the first thousand kilometers.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Einfahren' (to enter / bring in / retract) is a separable verb with the prefix 'ein-'. In a main clause, 'ein' stands at the end, while in a subordinate clause and in the infinitive it remains attached to the verb.
EXAMPLE
Der Busfahrer fährt vorsichtig in die Haltestelle ein.
The bus driver carefully pulls into the bus stop.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning of 'einfahren' (to enter / bring in / retract) from the object: with places (station, harbor), it is about entering or driving in. With agricultural products (harvest, hay), it is about harvesting. With abstract results (profit, loss), it is about achieving or bringing in something.
EXAMPLE
Das Schiff fährt in den Hafen ein.
The ship enters the harbor.
Use with places
In this meaning, 'einfahren' (to enter) is almost always used with the preposition 'in' and an accusative object that describes an enclosed or limited place.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe gesehen, wie das Auto in die Garage eingefahren ist.
I saw the car enter the garage.
Typical collocations
In an economic or sports context, 'einfahren' (to bring in) is often combined with abstract nouns. Typical phrases are: 'einen Gewinn einfahren' (to bring in a profit), 'einen Verlust einfahren' (to incur a loss), or 'einen Sieg einfahren' (to bring in a victory).
EXAMPLE
Die Mannschaft konnte am Wochenende einen wichtigen Sieg einfahren.
The team was able to bring in an important victory over the weekend.
Context: new technology
This meaning is specific to new vehicles or machines. It describes the initial, gentle phase of use so that the mechanical parts can get used to each other.
EXAMPLE
Der Verkäufer hat mir geraten, das neue Auto die ersten 1000 Kilometer vorsichtig einzufahren.
The salesperson advised me to break in the new car carefully for the first 1,000 kilometers.
Compare with
einfahren vs einnehmen
to take / earn / occupy
Einnehmen refers to the actual receipt of money through sales or services. Einfahren presents the economic success achieved more strongly as a result and often sounds more colloquial. Einnehmen fits when referring to the amount taken at the cash register; when an emphasized profit or result is meant, einfahren fits.
einfahren
Das Unternehmen fuhr mit dem neuen Produkt einen hohen Gewinn ein.
The company brought in a high profit with the new product.
einnehmen
Das Unternehmen nahm mit dem neuen Produkt eine Million Euro ein.
The company took in one million euros with the new product.
In real life
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