01
importieren
to import
To bring goods, services, or raw materials from abroad into one's own country.
example
Die Firma importiert Kaffee direkt aus Südamerika.
The company imports coffee directly from South America.
importieren
to import
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The verb comes from the Latin 'importare', which means 'to carry in' (in = into, portare = to carry). This basic meaning fits both the import of goods into a country and the import of data into a program.
EXAMPLE
Wir importieren viele exotische Früchte aus tropischen Ländern.
We import many exotic fruits from tropical countries.
Context clue
The context makes the meaning clear. If it is about countries, trade, goods, or raw materials, the economic meaning is intended. If it is about computers, programs, data, or files, the technical meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Deutschland importiert viel Öl aus dem Ausland.
Germany imports a lot of oil from abroad.
Sentence structure: trade
In an economic context, the structure '[goods] aus [country/region] importieren' ([to] import [goods] from [country/region]) is often used. The preposition 'aus' indicates the origin.
EXAMPLE
Das Unternehmen importiert hochwertige Uhren aus der Schweiz.
The company imports high-quality watches from Switzerland.
Sentence structure: IT
In an IT context, the pattern is often '[Daten] aus [Quelle] in [Ziel] importieren' (to import [data] from [source] into [destination]). The prepositions 'aus' and 'in' are crucial here.
EXAMPLE
Sie können die Fotos von Ihrer Kamera direkt in die Bearbeitungssoftware importieren.
You can import the photos from your camera directly into the editing software.
Compare with
importieren vs übernehmen
to take over / take on
'übernehmen' and 'importieren' can both mean that something comes from one source into a new context. 'übernehmen' is more general: you can adopt ideas, habits, styles, or even content from others and use them. 'importieren' is more specific and is used in computing when data or files are brought from one program or system into another. Learners may confuse the words because 'importieren' is often a kind of 'übernehmen'. In technical situations involving files, 'importieren' is usually more precise.
importieren
Ich importiere die Tabelle morgen in das neue Programm.
I will import the spreadsheet into the new program tomorrow.
übernehmen
Für ihre Präsentation übernimmt die Kundin einige Ideen aus dem alten Konzept.
For her presentation, the client adopts some ideas from the old concept.
In real life
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