In 15 Seconds
- Actively gathering facts before making a decision.
- A separable verb phrase used in professional and personal life.
- Reflects the German cultural value of being thorough and prepared.
Meaning
This phrase is all about doing your homework. It means you're actively going out to gather facts, details, or advice before you make a move or a decision.
Key Examples
3 of 6Planning a trip
Bevor wir buchen, müssen wir noch Informationen über das Visum einholen.
Before we book, we still need to obtain information about the visa.
Buying a car
Ich habe verschiedene Informationen zu den Preisen eingeholt.
I have obtained various pieces of information regarding the prices.
In a business meeting
Wir sollten zuerst weitere Informationen über den Markt einholen.
We should first obtain further information about the market.
Cultural Background
The 'Informationspflicht' (duty to be informed) is a real concept. Germans expect you to have 'eingeholt' information before asking basic questions in a professional setting. Similar to Germany, but bureaucratic language can be even more formal. You might hear 'Erkundigungen einziehen' as a very old-fashioned variant. Swiss German speakers use the standard German form in writing, but in spoken Swiss German, they might use 'Abkläre' (to clarify) more frequently. In German startups, 'Informationen einholen' is being slightly replaced by 'recherchieren' or 'checken', but it remains the gold standard for formal reports.
Use it in Emails
Instead of saying 'Ich habe eine Frage', write 'Ich möchte Informationen zu [Thema] einholen'. It immediately makes you sound more professional and competent.
Separable Verb Trap
Don't forget to put 'ein' at the end! 'Ich hole ein Informationen' is a very common mistake for English speakers.
In 15 Seconds
- Actively gathering facts before making a decision.
- A separable verb phrase used in professional and personal life.
- Reflects the German cultural value of being thorough and prepared.
What It Means
Imagine you want to buy a new laptop. You don't just grab the first one you see. You read reviews, check prices, and ask experts. That process is Informationen einholen. It’s more active than just 'receiving' info. You are the hunter, and the facts are your prey. It’s about being prepared and making sure you have the full picture.
How To Use It
The verb einholen is separable. This means the ein part often jumps to the very end of the sentence. For example: Ich hole Informationen ein. It sounds very professional but works in daily life too. You usually use it with a specific goal in mind. You aren't just browsing; you're investigating. It’s a solid B1-level phrase that makes you sound very organized.
When To Use It
Use this when you’re planning something important. Are you booking a vacation? You need to Informationen einholen about the hotel. Are you starting a new job? You'll Informationen einholen about the company culture. It’s perfect for office emails, talking to doctors, or dealing with German bureaucracy. It shows you are a serious person who values facts.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for casual gossip. If your friend tells you a secret, you didn't 'einholen' that info. You just heard it. Also, don't use it for simple things. You don't Informationen einholen about what's for dinner. That sounds like you're launching a formal investigation into the fridge. Keep it for situations where there is a bit of complexity involved.
Cultural Background
Germans are famous for being thorough. There’s even a word for it: Gründlichkeit. This phrase perfectly captures that spirit. In Germany, making a decision without 'fetching' all the info first is seen as a bit reckless. Whether it’s insurance or a new washing machine, the research phase is sacred. It’s the cultural equivalent of 'measure twice, cut once.'
Common Variations
You might also hear Erkundigungen einziehen. That’s a bit more old-fashioned and formal. If you’re at a train station, you might eine Auskunft einholen. That specifically means asking for help at an info desk. But Informationen einholen is your 'all-rounder.' It works almost everywhere and always makes you look like you have your life together.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral-to-formal collocation. It is highly frequent in both professional emails and serious personal planning. The most important grammatical trap is its separable nature (`ein-holen`).
Use it in Emails
Instead of saying 'Ich habe eine Frage', write 'Ich möchte Informationen zu [Thema] einholen'. It immediately makes you sound more professional and competent.
Separable Verb Trap
Don't forget to put 'ein' at the end! 'Ich hole ein Informationen' is a very common mistake for English speakers.
The 'Second Opinion'
In Germany, it is very common to 'eine zweite Meinung einholen' (get a second opinion) for medical or legal issues. It's not seen as rude to the first professional.
Examples
6Bevor wir buchen, müssen wir noch Informationen über das Visum einholen.
Before we book, we still need to obtain information about the visa.
A classic use for travel logistics.
Ich habe verschiedene Informationen zu den Preisen eingeholt.
I have obtained various pieces of information regarding the prices.
Shows the person did their research at different places.
Wir sollten zuerst weitere Informationen über den Markt einholen.
We should first obtain further information about the market.
Very professional and standard in a corporate setting.
Kannst du mal Informationen zum Treffpunkt einholen?
Can you get some info on the meeting point?
Slightly more formal than 'fragen', but common if the plan is vague.
Er hat drei Wochen lang Informationen eingeholt, nur um einen Toaster zu kaufen.
He spent three weeks gathering information just to buy a toaster.
Pokes fun at the German obsession with thorough research.
Es ist wichtig, eine zweite Meinung und mehr Informationen einzuholen.
It is important to get a second opinion and more information.
Used when dealing with serious health decisions.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'einholen'.
Ich habe gestern alle wichtigen Informationen ______.
In the perfect tense, the prefix 'ein-' comes before 'geholt'.
Which sentence is correct?
Which of these is a natural German sentence?
In a main clause, the separable prefix 'ein' must go to the very end.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hast du den Vertrag schon unterschrieben? B: Nein, ich muss erst noch ______.
'Informationen einholen' is the standard phrase for doing research before a decision.
Match the phrase to the context.
Where would you most likely hear 'Informationen einholen'?
The phrase is formal and consultative, making it ideal for business.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch habe gestern alle wichtigen Informationen ______.
In the perfect tense, the prefix 'ein-' comes before 'geholt'.
Which of these is a natural German sentence?
In a main clause, the separable prefix 'ein' must go to the very end.
A: Hast du den Vertrag schon unterschrieben? B: Nein, ich muss erst noch ______.
'Informationen einholen' is the standard phrase for doing research before a decision.
Where would you most likely hear 'Informationen einholen'?
The phrase is formal and consultative, making it ideal for business.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, you can use it for anything serious, like buying a house, choosing a school, or planning a complex trip. It just implies you are being thorough.
Yes, 'Infos' is a common abbreviation, but 'Informationen' is better for formal writing.
'Sammeln' (to collect) is more about the quantity and keeping things together. 'Einholen' is about the act of obtaining them from a source.
Usually plural. 'Informationen' refers to the set of facts you are gathering.
You can 'Informationen über jemanden einholen' (gather info about someone), but you don't 'einholen' the person themselves unless you are catching up to them in a race.
Use the Perfekt: 'Ich habe Informationen eingeholt.'
In spoken German, yes. 'Sich erkundigen' is slightly softer and more common in daily life.
Yes! 'Rat einholen' (to seek advice) is a very common and elegant collocation.
Not at all. It sounds prepared and diligent.
Use 'bei' for people/institutions ('beim Amt') and 'aus' or 'über' for media ('aus dem Internet').
Related Phrases
sich erkundigen
synonymTo inquire/ask about something.
Recherche betreiben
similarTo conduct research.
Angebote einholen
specialized formTo get quotes/offers.
Auskunft geben
contrastTo provide information.
