01
einnehmen
to take
To take in medication, food, or liquid.
example
Der Patient muss diese Tablette zweimal täglich einnehmen.
The patient has to take this tablet twice a day.
einnehmen
to take / earn / occupy
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 06
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Einnehmen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'ein-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er nimmt jeden Morgen seine Vitamine ein.
He takes his vitamins every morning.
Object as context clue
The meaning of 'einnehmen' is almost always made clear by the object. Is it about medication, money, a place, or a standpoint? The object tells you the exact meaning.
EXAMPLE
Der Verein nimmt durch Mitgliedsbeiträge viel Geld ein.
The association takes in a lot of money through membership fees.
Typical collocations
In a medical context, 'einnehmen' is typically combined with 'Tabletten' (tablets), 'Medizin' (medicine), 'Tropfen' (drops), or also 'eine Mahlzeit' (a meal).
EXAMPLE
Bitte nehmen Sie die Tropfen mit etwas Wasser ein.
Please take the drops with some water.
Money context
When it comes to finances, the object of 'einnehmen' is almost always money or an amount of money. Typical objects are 'Geld' (money), 'Spenden' (donations), 'Steuern' (taxes), or 'Gebühren' (fees).
EXAMPLE
Der kleine Laden nimmt an einem guten Tag 500 Euro ein.
The small shop takes in 500 euros on a good day.
Military context
In the meaning 'besetzen' (to occupy), 'einnehmen' is used almost exclusively in a military or strategic context. Typical objects are 'eine Stadt' (a city), 'eine Festung' (a fortress), or 'eine Stellung' (a position).
EXAMPLE
Die Armee versuchte, die feindliche Stellung einzunehmen.
The army tried to capture the enemy position.
Fixed expressions
To express an opinion, 'einnehmen' is used in fixed expressions such as 'einen Standpunkt einnehmen' (to take a standpoint), 'eine Haltung einnehmen' (to adopt an attitude), or 'eine Position einnehmen' (to take a position).
EXAMPLE
Er hat in der Debatte einen klaren Standpunkt eingenommen.
He took a clear standpoint in the debate.
Sentence structure
The expression 'jemanden für sich einnehmen' (to win someone over) has a fixed structure. The pronoun 'sich' is obligatory and refers to the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Mit ihrem Lächeln nahm sie das ganze Publikum für sich ein.
With her smile, she won the whole audience over.
Compare with
einnehmen vs nehmen
to take
'nehmen' and 'einnehmen' can both mean that you take medication or consume something to eat or drink. 'nehmen' is very general and especially common in everyday language: you take a tablet, have a coffee, or have something to eat. 'einnehmen' sounds more precise and a bit more formal with medication, for example in instructions from a doctor or on packaging. With normal food, you usually do not say 'ich nehme Brot ein', but rather 'ich esse Brot' (I eat bread) or 'ich nehme ein Stück Brot' (I'll have a piece of bread). The words are especially easy to confuse with medication, because both are possible there.
einnehmen
Bitte nehmen Sie das Medikament morgens mit Wasser ein.
Please take the medication in the morning with water.
nehmen
Vor der Reise nimmt sie eine Tablette gegen Übelkeit.
Before the trip, she takes a tablet for nausea.
In real life
Loading video examples...