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verb

ersteigern

buy at auction · purchase at auction

Definition & meaning

The German verb „ersteigern“ means to buy or acquire something at an auction. It describes the act of winning a bid for an object, artwork, property, or any other item during a public auction process.
Example: Er hat ein Gemälde ersteigert. – “He bought a painting at an auction.”

In a figurative sense, it may also be used in contexts where something is gained through competitive offering or bidding situations, though its literal meaning remains tied to auctions.

Grammar & Word origin

  • Part of speech: Verb
  • Base form (Infinitive): ersteigern
  • Conjugation type: regular (weak verb)
  • Auxiliary verb (for perfect tense): haben
    • Example: Er hat ein Auto ersteigert.

Word origin:
It is a compound of the prefix „er-“ and the verb „steigern“ (to increase, to raise).
The prefix er- often conveys the meaning of achieving or obtaining something through an action – in this case, achieving possession through bidding.
Literally, it could be interpreted as “to raise (a bid) and thus obtain something.”

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • bieten (to bid)
  • kaufen bei einer Auktion (to purchase at an auction)
  • erwerben (to acquire)

Antonyms:

  • verkaufen (to sell)
  • versteigern (to auction off – the opposite activity, done by the seller or auctioneer)

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Examples

Anna möchte ein Bild ersteigern.verb

Anna wants to buy a painting at auction.

Gestern hat mein Onkel ein altes Klavier bei der Auktion im Internet ersteigert.verb

Yesterday my uncle purchased an old piano at auction on the internet.

Hast du die antiken Stühle bereits für dein Wohnzimmer ersteigert?verb

Have you already bought the antique chairs at auction for your living room?

Bei der kommenden Wohltätigkeitsveranstaltung werden viele seltene Bücher von den Gästen ersteigert.verb

At the upcoming charity event, many rare books will be purchased at auction by the guests.

Obwohl das Gebot sehr hoch war, ersteigerten wir schließlich das seltene Sammlerstück.verb

Although the bid was very high, we finally purchased at auction the rare collector's item.

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