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
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Meanings
einnehmen
to take in
To receive money through sales, services, or other activities; to generate revenue.
EXAMPLE
Bei dem Benefizkonzert wurden über 10.000 Euro für den guten Zweck eingenommen.
At the benefit concert, over 10,000 euros were taken in for the good cause.
einnehmen
to capture
To occupy a place, position, or territory through military or strategic actions.
EXAMPLE
Die Truppen konnten die strategisch wichtige Brücke einnehmen.
The troops were able to capture the strategically important bridge.
einnehmen
to take up
To occupy a certain place, amount of space, or amount of time.
EXAMPLE
Das große Bücherregal nimmt die gesamte Wand ein.
The large bookcase takes up the entire wall.
eine Position einnehmen
to take a position
To adopt a certain attitude, opinion, or standpoint in a discussion or matter.
EXAMPLE
In dieser Frage hat sie eine neutrale Position eingenommen.
On this issue, she has taken a neutral position.
jemanden für sich einnehmen
to win someone over
To gain a person's sympathy and goodwill through charm or friendliness.
EXAMPLE
Mit seiner offenen Art konnte er die Zuhörer sofort für sich einnehmen.
With his open manner, he was able to win the listeners over immediately.
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 verdienen
to earn / deserve
Verdienen refers to money that someone receives as payment for their work. Einnehmen refers to revenue from sales, services, or other activities, from which costs may still have to be deducted. Use verdienen for personal payment for work and einnehmen for revenue generated.
einnehmen
Mit seinen Fotoaufträgen nimmt Paul monatlich 5000 Euro ein, muss davon aber seine Kosten bezahlen.
Paul takes in €5,000 a month from his photography assignments, but he has to pay his expenses out of that.
verdienen
Als Fotograf verdient Paul mit seiner Arbeit monatlich 3000 Euro.
As a photographer, Paul earns €3,000 a month from his work.
In real life
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