gekauft
bought
Acquired by paying for it; not borrowed, given as a gift, or made oneself.
EXAMPLE
Diese Torte ist nicht selbst gebacken, sondern gekauft.
This cake was not homemade, but bought.
gekauft
bought
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Meanings
gekauft
bought / bribed
Bribed; influenced by money or other advantages to act in a biased or dishonest way.
EXAMPLE
Viele Zuschauer waren überzeugt, dass der Schiedsrichter gekauft war.
Many spectators were convinced that the referee had been bought.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Gekauft' (bought) is the past participle of the verb 'kaufen' (to buy). It is used as an adjective to describe that something was acquired through a purchase.
EXAMPLE
Das Fahrrad ist nicht neu, sondern gebraucht gekauft.
The bicycle is not new, but was bought used.
Context clue
The meaning changes depending on the context. If 'gekauft' (bought) refers to a thing, it means 'acquired.' If it refers to a person (e.g. a referee, politician) or a result (e.g. a victory), it means 'bribed' or 'rigged.'
EXAMPLE
Der Kuchen ist gekauft, nicht selbstgemacht.
The cake is bought, not homemade.
Typical use
In its literal meaning, 'gekauft' (bought) is often used as the opposite of 'selbst gemacht' (homemade), 'geliehen' (borrowed), or 'geschenkt' (given as a gift).
EXAMPLE
Ist dein Kleid gekauft oder hast du es selbst genäht?
Did you buy your dress, or did you sew it yourself?
Typical collocations
In the figurative, negative meaning, 'gekauft' (bought/bribed) is often connected with people or their actions. Typical phrases are 'ein gekaufter Zeuge' (a bribed witness), 'ein gekaufter Schiedsrichter' (a bribed referee), or 'gekaufte Stimmen' (bought votes).
EXAMPLE
Die Opposition sprach von einem gekauften Wahlergebnis.
The opposition spoke of a bought election result.
Compare with
gekauft vs bezahlt
paid
Both words can describe a person who has been influenced by money. „Bezahlt“ can also simply mean that someone receives money for a job, while „gekauft“ places more emphasis on morally reprehensible influence. Use „bezahlt“ for a paid or hired person and „gekauft“ when clearly criticizing their position.
gekauft
Viele Leser halten den Politiker für gekauft, weil er seine Meinung nach einer Geldzahlung änderte.
Many readers consider the politician bought because he changed his opinion after receiving a payment.
bezahlt
Der Politiker wirkt bezahlt, weil er für diese Aussage von der Firma angeheuert wurde.
The politician seems paid because the company hired him to make that statement.
In real life
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