nounnoun

der Zulauf, ¨-e

influx · inlet · attendance

Ein Zufluss von Wasser oder anderen Flüssigkeiten in einen Ort, ein Rohr oder ein Gerät.

Definition & meaning

Zulauf is a masculine German noun: der Zulauf; plural: die Zuläufe.

It has several related meanings:

An influx or large number of people coming to a place or event
It describes growing attendance, interest, or popularity.
- Die Veranstaltung hatte großen Zulauf.
  “The event attracted a large crowd.”
- Das Geschäft verzeichnet einen starken Zulauf.
  “The shop is experiencing a large increase in customers.”
An inflow or inlet, especially of water or another liquid
It can refer to water flowing into a body of water, a pipe, a tank, or a technical system.
- Der Zulauf zum Becken ist verstopft.
  “The inlet to the basin is blocked.”
- Der Fluss hat mehrere kleine Zuläufe.
  “The river has several small tributaries.”
A tributary or smaller stream flowing into a larger body of water
In this sense, it is close to Nebenfluss or Zufluss, although Zulauf can also emphasize the process or channel of flowing in.

Grammar & word origin

Gender: masculine
Article: der Zulauf
Plural: die Zuläufe
Pronunciation: approximately TSOO-lowf

The word consists of:

zu- — “toward,” “to,” or “in the direction of”
Lauf — “run,” “flow,” or “course”

Thus, Zulauf literally suggests something “running or flowing toward” a place.

It is related to the verb zulaufen , which can mean “to run toward someone” or “to flow into something.” The noun Zufluss [link](vocabuo://word/Zufluss] is closely related and often interchangeable in the water-related sense.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

Zustrom — an influx or stream of people, money, or other things; often emphasizes a strong or continuous flow.
Andrang — a rush or large crowd of people; it often suggests congestion or pressure.
Zufluss — inflow, especially of water, money, or resources; more neutral and technical than Zulauf.
Besucherandrang — a large number of visitors; more specific than Zulauf.
Nebenfluss — a tributary; specifically a smaller river flowing into a larger one.

Antonyms

The opposite depends on the meaning:

Abfluss — outflow or drain; the direct opposite in the context of water or liquids.
Abwanderung — departure or migration away; the opposite of an influx of people.
Rückgang — decline or decrease; the opposite of increasing popularity or attendance.
Weggang — people leaving or departing, contrasting with people arriving.