هذه الصفحة بلغتك

English

فارسی

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 noun #1,500 الأكثر شيوعاً 7 دقيقة للقراءة

Kosten, die (pl.)

The amount of money required or spent on something.

الأكثر شيوعاً #1,500

At the A1 level, you learn 'Kosten' primarily as a plural noun related to money. You might use it in simple sentences like 'Die Kosten sind hoch' (The costs are high). You learn that it is always plural and refers to the money you need for something. You might see it on simple bills or when talking about a vacation. It is important to know that 'die' is the article you use. You also learn the verb 'kosten' (to cost) very early on, like 'Was kostet das?' (What does that cost?). At this stage, just focus on the basic idea of spending money and the fact that you use 'sind' (are) with 'Kosten'.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the A2 level, you start to use 'Kosten' in more specific contexts. You learn about 'Nebenkosten' (extra costs like utilities) when talking about housing. You can describe what the costs are for using the preposition 'für', such as 'die Kosten für das Ticket'. You also start to recognize common word combinations like 'hohe Kosten' or 'niedrige Kosten'. You might encounter the word in simple news stories or advertisements. You understand that 'Kosten' is a total sum of money spent. You are also introduced to the idea that some things have 'keine Kosten' (no costs/free), though 'kostenlos' is more common for 'free'.

At the B1 level, you use 'Kosten' in professional and social discussions. You can talk about 'Lebenshaltungskosten' (cost of living) and compare different cities. You learn phrases like 'die Kosten tragen' (to bear the costs) and 'die Kosten decken' (to cover the costs). You understand more complex compounds like 'Reisekosten' or 'Fixkosten'. You can participate in conversations about whether a project is worth the 'Kosten'. You also start to see the word in metaphorical ways, like 'auf Kosten der Gesundheit' (at the expense of health). Your grammar becomes more precise, correctly using 'den Kosten' in the dative case.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B2 level, you use 'Kosten' with more nuance. You can discuss 'Kosten-Nutzen-Analysen' (cost-benefit analyses) and evaluate economic situations. You are familiar with idiomatic expressions like 'auf seine Kosten kommen' (to get one's money's worth). You can distinguish between 'Kosten', 'Ausgaben', and 'Aufwendungen' in a business context. You understand the difference between 'Kosten' and 'Unkosten'. You can read financial reports and understand terms like 'Herstellungskosten' (manufacturing costs). You use the word fluently in debates about social issues, such as the 'Kosten der Integration' or 'Kosten des Klimawandels'.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated command of 'Kosten'. You use it in academic and high-level professional settings. You understand subtle distinctions in legal and economic texts, such as 'Gerichtskosten' vs. 'Anwaltskosten'. You can use the word in complex sentence structures and with advanced adjectives like 'immens', 'marginal', or 'prohibitiv'. You are comfortable with the etymological roots and how they relate to other words. You can write detailed reports on 'Kostenentwicklung' (cost development) and suggest strategies for 'Kostenoptimierung' (cost optimization). Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker's.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, you master the full range of 'Kosten', including its most abstract and literary uses. You can appreciate and use the word in philosophical discussions about the 'Kosten' of human progress or the 'Kosten' of freedom. You understand archaic or very specialized uses in historical texts. You can play with the word in creative writing or rhetoric, using it to create irony or emphasis. You are aware of regional variations and how the term might be used differently in Swiss or Austrian German. Your understanding of 'Kosten' is deep, encompassing its economic, social, and metaphorical dimensions perfectly.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

Kosten, die (pl.) في 30 ثانية

Kosten refers to the total financial expenditure required for a product, service, or activity.
It is a plural-only noun (Pluraletantum) in German, always used with plural verbs like 'sind'.
Commonly used with the preposition 'für' and in compounds like 'Nebenkosten' or 'Fixkosten'.
Can be used metaphorically to mean sacrifice or effort, as in 'at the expense of'.

The German noun Kosten refers to the financial expenditure, outlays, or the total amount of money required to achieve a specific goal, purchase a product, or maintain a service. In linguistic terms, it is a Pluraletantum, meaning it is almost exclusively used in the plural form. When you talk about 'Kosten', you are discussing the economic burden or the price tag associated with an action. This word is fundamental in both everyday life—such as calculating the cost of groceries—and in complex business environments where one analyzes fixed and variable costs.

Financial Burden: The direct monetary value one must pay for goods or services. For example, 'Die Kosten für die Miete sind gestiegen' (The costs for rent have increased).
Effort and Sacrifice: Metaphorically, it can refer to the non-monetary price paid, such as time or health. 'Der Sieg kam unter großen Kosten' (The victory came at a great cost).

Die Kosten für das neue Projekt sind viel höher als erwartet.

Understanding 'Kosten' requires recognizing that it encompasses various types of spending. In a business context, you might hear about Fixkosten (fixed costs) like rent, or Nebenkosten (additional costs/utilities). The word is derived from the verb 'kosten' (to cost), which shares its root with the Latin 'constare'. It is essential to distinguish it from 'der Preis' (the price); while price is what is asked for a single item, 'Kosten' often implies a total sum or the ongoing expense of an operation.

Wir müssen die Kosten senken, um wettbewerbsfähig zu bleiben.

Etymology: From Middle High German 'kosten', which originally meant to evaluate or stand firm at a certain value.

Wer trägt die Kosten für den Schaden?

Auf eigene Kosten reisen.

Synonyms: Ausgaben, Aufwendungen, Spesen, Unkosten (often used for unexpected costs).

Die Kosten belaufen sich auf 500 Euro.

Using 'Kosten' correctly involves mastering its plural nature and the verbs that typically accompany it. Because it is a plural noun, you must ensure that adjectives and verbs are declined accordingly. For example, you say 'hohe Kosten' (high costs) and 'die Kosten steigen' (the costs are rising). It is frequently used with the preposition 'für' to specify what the money is being spent on. Furthermore, 'Kosten' appears in many idiomatic expressions that are vital for sounding natural in German.

Common Verbs: tragen (to bear/pay), decken (to cover), senken (to lower), berechnen (to calculate), verursachen (to cause).

Die Versicherung deckt die Kosten für den Unfall.

In professional settings, 'Kosten' is often part of compound nouns. If you are looking at a budget, you will see Personalkosten (staff costs), Materialkosten (material costs), and Produktionskosten (production costs). In a private context, Lebenshaltungskosten (cost of living) is a term you will encounter when discussing finances or moving to a new city. Remember that 'Kosten' is neutral in gender but only exists in the plural, so the definite article is always 'die' in the nominative and accusative, and 'den' in the dative ('mit den Kosten').

Bei diesem Konzert kommen alle Musikfans auf ihre Kosten.

Prepositions: 'Auf' (at the expense of), 'Für' (for), 'Trotz' (despite the costs).

Er macht Witze auf Kosten anderer Leute.

Wir rechnen mit hohen Kosten.

Collocations: Laufende Kosten (running costs), geschätzte Kosten (estimated costs), enorme Kosten (enormous costs).

Die laufenden Kosten für das Haus sind zu hoch.

You will encounter the word 'Kosten' in almost every sphere of German life. In the news, it is frequently used in reports about government spending, infrastructure projects, or inflation. For instance, a news anchor might say, 'Die Kosten für Energie sind im letzten Monat stark gestiegen.' In a business environment, meetings often revolve around 'Kosten-Nutzen-Analysen' (cost-benefit analyses). If you work in Germany, you will definitely hear it during budget discussions or when submitting 'Reisekosten' (travel expenses) for reimbursement.

In daily life, 'Kosten' appears on bills (Rechnungen), in contracts (Verträge), and during shopping. If you are renting an apartment, you will see 'Nebenkosten' listed separately from the 'Kaltmiete' (base rent). These additional costs cover heating, water, and trash collection. At the doctor's office, you might discuss whether the 'Krankenkasse' (health insurance) will 'die Kosten übernehmen' (cover the costs) for a specific treatment. It is a word that bridges the gap between formal accounting and personal financial management.

Furthermore, the word is prevalent in advertising. Companies often promise 'keine versteckten Kosten' (no hidden costs) to attract customers. In educational settings, students might talk about 'Studiengebühren' (tuition fees) as part of their 'Studienkosten'. Even in social interactions, the word appears in idioms like 'auf Kosten von jemandem lachen' (to laugh at someone's expense), showing its versatility beyond just money. Whether you are reading a financial newspaper like the Handelsblatt or just talking to a friend about a vacation, 'Kosten' is an indispensable part of the German vocabulary.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is trying to use 'Kosten' in the singular. Unlike English, where you can say 'the cost of this item is...', German almost always uses the plural 'die Kosten'. If you want to refer to the price of a single item, you should use 'der Preis'. Saying 'Der Kosten ist hoch' is a clear indicator of a non-native speaker; it must be 'Die Kosten sind hoch'. Another common error is confusing 'Kosten' with 'Unkosten'. While often used interchangeably in colloquial speech, 'Unkosten' technically refers to unforeseen or incidental expenses, whereas 'Kosten' is the general term.

Another pitfall is the prepositional usage. Learners often use 'von' when 'für' or a compound noun would be more appropriate. Instead of 'die Kosten von dem Auto', it is better to say 'die Kosten für das Auto' or 'die Autokosten'. Additionally, pay attention to the verb 'kosten'. While the noun 'Kosten' is plural, the verb 'kosten' can be singular or plural depending on the subject: 'Das Buch kostet 10 Euro' vs. 'Die Bücher kosten 20 Euro'. Do not let the plural noun 'Kosten' confuse you when using the verb.

Finally, the phrase 'auf Kosten von' can be tricky. It can mean 'at the expense of' (metaphorically) or 'paid for by'. For example, 'Er lebt auf Kosten seiner Eltern' (He lives at his parents' expense). Some learners mistakenly use 'an' or 'in' here. Mastery of these nuances—especially the plural-only rule—will significantly improve your grammatical accuracy and make your German sound much more professional and natural.

To expand your vocabulary, it is helpful to compare 'Kosten' with related terms. Der Preis is the most common alternative, but it refers specifically to the amount requested by a seller for a single unit. Die Ausgaben (expenses/expenditure) is a very close synonym, often used in accounting to describe money flowing out of an account. Der Aufwand (effort/expenditure) is broader; it can refer to money, but also to the time and energy invested in a task. If you say 'Der zeitliche Aufwand war groß', you mean it took a lot of time.

Kosten vs. Preis: 'Preis' is what you see on a tag; 'Kosten' is the total amount you end up paying, including extras.
Kosten vs. Gebühren: 'Gebühren' (fees) are specific types of costs paid to authorities or for services like a library or bank.

Die Spesen is another term you might encounter, specifically referring to out-of-pocket expenses incurred during business travel, like meals or taxi rides. Unkosten is a slightly more informal or specific term for 'incidental expenses' or 'nuisance costs'. In a technical or economic sense, you might also hear Soll (debit) and Haben (credit), but these are strictly for bookkeeping. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the most precise word for your specific context, whether you are complaining about the high cost of living or analyzing a corporate balance sheet.

How Formal Is It?

رسمي

غير رسمي

دليل النطق

يتقافى مع

Pfosten Osten

مستوى الصعوبة

قواعد يجب معرفتها

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

Die Kosten sind klein.

The costs are small.

Plural verb 'sind'.

Was sind die Kosten?

What are the costs?

Question with plural 'sind'.

Die Kosten für das Brot sind 2 Euro.

The costs for the bread are 2 euros.

Using 'für' for specification.

Ich habe keine Kosten.

I have no costs.

Accusative plural.

Die Kosten sind zu hoch.

The costs are too high.

Adverb 'zu' modifying 'hoch'.

Hier sind die Kosten.

Here are the costs.

Demonstrative 'hier'.

Wie hoch sind die Kosten?

How high are the costs?

Common inquiry structure.

Die Kosten sind okay.

The costs are okay.

Colloquial usage.

Die Nebenkosten sind in der Miete.

The utilities are included in the rent.

Compound noun 'Nebenkosten'.

Wir müssen die Kosten für das Auto bezahlen.

We have to pay the costs for the car.

Modal verb 'müssen'.

Die Kosten für den Urlaub steigen.

The costs for the vacation are rising.

Verb 'steigen'.

Gibt es versteckte Kosten?

Are there hidden costs?

Adjective 'versteckt'.

Die monatlichen Kosten sind stabil.

The monthly costs are stable.

Adjective 'monatlich'.

Wer übernimmt die Kosten?

Who is taking over the costs?

Verb 'übernehmen'.

Die Kosten für Strom sind teuer.

The costs for electricity are expensive.

Noun 'Strom'.

Wir vergleichen die Kosten.

We are comparing the costs.

Verb 'vergleichen'.

Die Lebenshaltungskosten in München sind sehr hoch.

The cost of living in Munich is very high.

Long compound noun.

Die Firma trägt die Kosten für die Fortbildung.

The company bears the costs for the training.

Idiomatic 'Kosten tragen'.

Wir müssen die Kosten senken, um zu sparen.

We must lower the costs to save.

Final clause with 'um...zu'.

Die Versicherung deckt alle Kosten ab.

The insurance covers all costs.

Separable verb 'abdecken'.

Trotz der hohen Kosten haben wir das Haus gekauft.

Despite the high costs, we bought the house.

Genitive after 'trotz'.

Die Kosten belaufen sich auf insgesamt 5000 Euro.

The costs amount to a total of 5000 euros.

Reflexive verb 'sich belaufen auf'.

Man sollte die Kosten im Voraus berechnen.

One should calculate the costs in advance.

Prepositional phrase 'im Voraus'.

Er macht Witze auf Kosten seiner Kollegen.

He makes jokes at the expense of his colleagues.

Idiomatic 'auf Kosten von'.

Eine Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse ist für dieses Projekt notwendig.

A cost-benefit analysis is necessary for this project.

Hyphenated compound.

Die Fixkosten machen einen großen Teil der Ausgaben aus.

Fixed costs make up a large part of the expenses.

Separable verb 'ausmachen'.

Wir sind bei dem Ausflug voll auf unsere Kosten gekommen.

We really got our money's worth on the trip.

Idiom 'auf seine Kosten kommen'.

Die Kostenentwicklung der letzten Jahre ist besorgniserregend.

The cost development of recent years is worrying.

Compound noun 'Kostenentwicklung'.

Es entstehen zusätzliche Kosten für den Versand.

Additional costs arise for shipping.

Verb 'entstehen'.

Die Kosten müssen gerecht verteilt werden.

The costs must be distributed fairly.

Passive voice.

Man darf den Erfolg nicht auf Kosten der Qualität erzielen.

One must not achieve success at the expense of quality.

Abstract usage.

Die geschätzten Kosten liegen weit unter dem Budget.

The estimated costs are well below the budget.

Participle 'geschätzt' as adjective.

Die Prozesskostenhilfe unterstützt einkommensschwache Bürger.

Legal aid supports low-income citizens.

Specialized legal term.

Die Grenzkosten spielen in der Mikroökonomie eine zentrale Rolle.

Marginal costs play a central role in microeconomics.

Economic terminology.

Die Kosten für die Instandhaltung des Gebäudes sind immens.

The costs for the maintenance of the building are immense.

Noun 'Instandhaltung'.

Wir müssen eine Strategie zur Kostendämpfung entwickeln.

We need to develop a strategy for cost containment.

Noun 'Kostendämpfung'.

Die Kosten wurden auf die verschiedenen Abteilungen umgelegt.

The costs were allocated to the various departments.

Verb 'umlegen' (allocate).

Es ist eine Frage der Kosten, ob wir expandieren können.

It is a question of costs whether we can expand.

Genitive construction.

Die Kosten für den Umweltschutz werden oft unterschätzt.

The costs for environmental protection are often underestimated.

Passive voice.

Die Kosten-Leistungs-Rechnung ist ein wichtiges Instrument.

Cost-performance accounting is an important instrument.

Technical term.

Die Kosten der Freiheit sind oft höher, als man zunächst ahnt.

The costs of freedom are often higher than one initially suspects.

Philosophical usage.

Die Opportunitätskosten dieser Entscheidung sind beträchtlich.

The opportunity costs of this decision are considerable.

Advanced economic term.

Die Kostenlawine droht das gesamte Gesundheitssystem zu begraben.

The avalanche of costs threatens to bury the entire healthcare system.

Metaphorical compound.

Es gilt, die Kosten-Nutzen-Relation kritisch zu hinterfragen.

It is necessary to critically question the cost-benefit ratio.

Formal 'es gilt' construction.

Die Kosten für die Beseitigung der Altlasten sind astronomisch.

The costs for the removal of inherited liabilities are astronomical.

Term 'Altlasten'.

Er triumphierte auf Kosten seiner eigenen Integrität.

He triumphed at the expense of his own integrity.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

Die Kostenstruktur des Unternehmens wurde grundlegend reformiert.

The company's cost structure was fundamentally reformed.

Noun 'Kostenstruktur'.

Die Kosten der Untätigkeit übersteigen die der Prävention.

The costs of inaction exceed those of prevention.

Comparative structure.

تلازمات شائعة

hohe Kosten

niedrige Kosten

laufende Kosten

versteckte Kosten

die Kosten tragen

die Kosten decken

die Kosten senken

die Kosten berechnen

zusätzliche Kosten

fixe Kosten

العبارات الشائعة

auf seine Kosten kommen

auf Kosten von jemandem

die Kosten übernehmen

keine Kosten und Mühen scheuen

sich in Unkosten stürzen

die Kosten belaufen sich auf

Kosten-Nutzen-Verhältnis

Nebenkosten inklusive

Reisekosten abrechnen

Kosten sparen

يُخلط عادةً مع

Kosten, die (pl.) vs Preis (Price of a single item)

Kosten, die (pl.) vs Ausgaben (General spending/expenditure)

Kosten, die (pl.) vs Unkosten (Unexpected or incidental costs)

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

سهل الخلط

Kosten, die (pl.) vs Kosten

Plural noun meaning financial expenditure.

Kosten, die (pl.) vs kosten

Verb meaning 'to cost' or 'to taste'.

Kosten, die (pl.) vs Kost

Singular noun meaning 'food' or 'fare' (e.g., Schonkost).

أنماط الجُمل

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

kosten verb

The verb 'kosten' is related but can be singular.

plural only

Remember, there is no 'der Kost' or 'die Kost' in the sense of financial cost.

أخطاء شائعة

Der Kosten ist hoch.
Kosten is always plural.
Die Kosten von dem Ticket.
'Für' is the standard preposition for specifying the cost of an item.
Ich habe einen Kosten.
You cannot have a single 'Kosten'.
Die Kosten ist 10 Euro.
Don't use 'ist' with 'Kosten'.
Auf Kosten meiner Gesundheit.
Actually, this is correct, but learners often use 'an' instead of 'auf'.

نصائح

Plural Verb Agreement

Always pair 'Kosten' with plural verbs. Even if you are thinking of one total sum, the word itself requires 'sind', 'waren', or other plural forms.

Compound Power

German loves compound nouns. Instead of saying 'Kosten für die Produktion', try 'Produktionskosten'. It sounds more natural and professional.

Price vs. Cost

Use 'Preis' for the tag on a shirt. Use 'Kosten' for the total bill of a wedding or a car's maintenance.

Social Costs

The phrase 'auf Kosten von...' is great for describing social dynamics, like someone being the butt of a joke.

Cost-Benefit

In a professional setting, always mention the 'Nutzen' (benefit) when discussing 'Kosten' to provide a balanced view.

Preposition Choice

Use 'auf' for 'at the expense of' and 'für' for 'the cost of [something]'.

Avoid 'Unkosten' in Formal Writing

Stick to 'Kosten' or 'Ausgaben' in formal reports. 'Unkosten' can sound slightly imprecise or colloquial.

Listen for 'belaufen'

The verb 'belaufen' (amount to) is the most common partner for 'Kosten' in news and reports.

Rental Context

When looking for apartments, always check if the price is 'Warmmiete' (including Nebenkosten) or 'Kaltmiete' (excluding them).

The 'S' Rule

Both 'Costs' and 'Kosten' end in a sound that reminds you of the plural. Use this to remember the plural-only rule.

احفظها

أصل الكلمة

Middle High German 'kosten', from Old French 'coster', from Latin 'constare' (to stand firm, to cost).

السياق الثقافي

The focus on 'Kosten senken' reflects the German emphasis on efficiency.

Contracts must clearly state all 'Kosten' to be legally binding and culturally acceptable.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

بدايات محادثة

"Wie hoch sind die Lebenshaltungskosten in deiner Stadt?"

"Wer trägt normalerweise die Kosten für ein erstes Date?"

"Hast du schon mal versteckte Kosten bei einem Vertrag erlebt?"

"Wie können wir die Kosten für unsere nächste Reise senken?"

"Sind die Kosten für Bildung in deinem Land hoch?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Schreibe über eine Situation, in der du auf deine Kosten gekommen bist.

Analysiere die Kosten für dein Hobby.

Was sind die Kosten der Freiheit in deiner Meinung?

Beschreibe die Nebenkosten deiner Wohnung.

Sollte die Regierung die Kosten für den öffentlichen Nahverkehr übernehmen?

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No, 'Kosten' is a Pluraletantum. In the context of money, it is always plural. If you need a singular concept, use 'der Preis' or 'der Betrag'.

In everyday language, they are often used the same way. Technically, 'Unkosten' refers to unforeseen, extra, or unpleasant expenses, while 'Kosten' is the neutral, general term.

No, the noun 'Kosten' only means financial costs. However, the verb 'kosten' can mean both 'to cost' and 'to taste'. The noun for tasting is 'das Kosten' or 'die Kostprobe'.

You say 'auf meine Kosten'. For example, 'Ich reise auf meine Kosten' means 'I am traveling at my own expense'.

Since it is only used in the plural, it uses the plural articles (die, der, den, die). The grammatical gender of the root is technically neutral (das), but this is rarely relevant.

These are 'additional costs', most commonly referring to utilities like water, heating, and trash collection that are paid on top of the base rent.

Use 'für' when you want to specify the object or service being paid for: 'Die Kosten für das Seminar'.

It means to get your money's worth or to thoroughly enjoy an experience. 'Die Kinder kamen im Zoo voll auf ihre Kosten'.

Yes, very often. 'Gerichtskosten' (court costs) and 'Anwaltskosten' (lawyer fees) are standard legal terms.

Yes, metaphorically. You can say 'Die Kosten an Zeit waren enorm', though 'Zeitaufwand' is more common.

سجّل مجاناً للنصائح والملاحظات