betragen
betragen 30초 만에
- Betragen means 'to amount to' and is used to state numerical values like prices, distances, and temperatures.
- It is a strong verb: the third person singular is 'beträgt' and the simple past is 'betrug'.
- It is more formal than 'sein' or 'kosten' and is common in news, business, and science.
- The reflexive form 'sich betragen' means 'to behave', but this is less common than the quantitative use.
The German verb betragen is a foundational word in the German language, primarily used to express quantitative values, measurements, and numerical sums. At its core, it translates to "to amount to," "to be," or "to come to" in the context of figures. Unlike the simple verb "sein" (to be), which can be used for any state of existence, betragen specifically signals that a numerical value is being reported. It is a formal yet very common verb found in everyday life, from checking the weather forecast to reviewing a bank statement or reading a scientific report. When you use betragen, you are providing a specific data point. It is almost always followed by a number and a unit of measurement, such as Euros, meters, degrees, or percentages. In the German mind, this verb bridges the gap between an object and its measurable properties. For example, if you are discussing the height of a mountain, the cost of a dinner, or the current temperature in Berlin, betragen is your go-to verb to sound precise and natural. It is also important to note that this verb is "stark" (strong), meaning its stem changes in the past tense (betrug) and the past participle (betragen). While its most common use is quantitative, learners should be aware of its reflexive form sich betragen, which means "to behave," though this is significantly more formal and less frequent in modern spoken German. In the quantitative sense, it is an essential tool for anyone moving beyond basic A1 German into the more descriptive and factual territory of A2 and B1 levels.
- Financial Context
- When dealing with money, betragen is used to state the total sum of an invoice, a debt, or a balance. It provides a formal tone that is preferred in business correspondence over the more colloquial 'kosten' (to cost). For instance, 'Die Rechnung beträgt 50 Euro' sounds more professional than 'Die Rechnung ist 50 Euro'.
Die Gesamtkosten für das Projekt betragen rund zwei Millionen Euro.
- Scientific and Meteorological Context
- In weather reports, the verb is ubiquitous for describing temperatures, rainfall amounts, or wind speeds. Similarly, in science, it describes distances, weights, or dimensions. 'Die Temperatur beträgt heute 25 Grad' is the standard way to report the weather accurately.
Die Entfernung zwischen den beiden Städten beträgt genau einhundert Kilometer.
- Statistical Context
- When discussing percentages or statistical growth, betragen is the standard choice. It allows the speaker to present facts objectively. For example, 'Die Arbeitslosenquote beträgt fünf Prozent' (The unemployment rate amounts to five percent).
Der Anteil der erneuerbaren Energien beträgt mittlerweile über vierzig Prozent.
Die Wartezeit am Flughafen betrug gestern mehr als drei Stunden.
Wie hoch beträgt die Miete für diese Wohnung eigentlich?
Using betragen correctly requires understanding its sentence structure, which is typically quite rigid. The subject of the sentence is the item or category being measured (e.g., the price, the length, the speed), and the direct object is the value itself. Because it is a strong verb, you must pay attention to the stem change in the third person singular present tense: er/sie/es beträgt. This is the most common form you will encounter, as the subjects are almost always inanimate objects or abstract concepts. In the simple past, it becomes betrug, and in the perfect tense, it uses haben with the past participle betragen. For example, 'Die Verspätung hat zwanzig Minuten betragen'. While this perfect tense construction is grammatically correct, in spoken and written German, the present tense or simple past is much more frequent because facts are usually presented as either currently true or historically fixed.
- Describing Dimensions
- When talking about physical size, betragen connects the dimension (Länge, Breite, Höhe) to the number. You wouldn't say 'Die Höhe ist 10 Meter' as often as 'Die Höhe beträgt 10 Meter' in a technical or descriptive context.
Die Breite des Tisches beträgt achtzig Zentimeter.
- Asking Questions
- To ask about a value using betragen, we often use the interrogative 'Wie hoch' (How high) or 'Wie viel'. 'Wie hoch beträgt die Gebühr?' is a common way to ask about official costs.
Wie hoch beträgt die aktuelle Geschwindigkeit des Zuges?
- Expressing Estimates
- You can combine betragen with adverbs like 'ungefähr' (approximately), 'etwa' (about), or 'knapp' (scarcely/just under) to give less precise figures.
Die Einwohnerzahl der Stadt beträgt etwa eine Million.
Der Preisunterschied beträgt lediglich zwei Euro.
Das Mindestalter für diesen Film beträgt sechzehn Jahre.
You will hear betragen in almost every factual or informative setting in Germany. It is a staple of the 'Tagesschau' (the national news), where newsreaders use it to describe economic growth, budget deficits, or demographic shifts. If you are listening to a weather forecast on the radio while driving on the Autobahn, the announcer will likely say, 'Die Höchsttemperaturen betragen heute...' (The maximum temperatures today are...). In a retail environment, while 'kosten' is used for the price of a single item, 'betragen' is often used by the cashier or on a digital screen to indicate the Gesamtbetrag (total amount) of your purchase. It is also very common in academic lectures, where professors present data, and in corporate meetings when discussing quarterly results. Essentially, anywhere numbers are analyzed or reported, betragen is present. It provides a level of precision and formality that signals the speaker is providing objective information rather than subjective opinion. Even in casual settings, if someone is trying to be precise about a distance or a duration, they might switch from 'ist' to 'beträgt' to emphasize the accuracy of their statement.
- In the Media
- Journalists use this verb to ground their stories in facts. Whether it's the number of participants at a demonstration or the depth of a flood, betragen is the standard choice for reporting these figures.
Die Zahl der Teilnehmer betrug laut Polizeiangaben mehrere Tausend.
- At the Bank or Office
- In financial transactions, 'betragen' is used to define the scope of a payment. You will see it on invoices (Rechnungen) or bank statements (Kontoauszüge) constantly.
Ihr aktueller Kontostand beträgt vierhundert Euro.
- Travel and Logistics
- Whether it's the length of a flight or the weight of your luggage, logistics companies and travel agencies rely on this verb to communicate limits and realities.
Das zulässige Gesamtgewicht beträgt zwanzig Kilogramm pro Koffer.
Die Flugzeit beträgt voraussichtlich zwei Stunden und zehn Minuten.
Der Abstand zum nächsten Fahrzeug betrug nur wenige Meter.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with betragen is using it where a simple 'sein' or 'kosten' would be more appropriate, or vice versa. While 'betragen' is formal, it shouldn't be used for qualitative descriptions. You cannot say 'Die Aussicht beträgt schön' because beauty isn't a numerical value. Another common error is forgetting the stem change: many learners say 'es betragt' instead of 'es beträgt'. This 'Umlaut' is crucial for correct grammar. Additionally, learners often confuse 'betragen' with 'belaufen'. While 'sich belaufen auf' is a synonym, it is reflexive and requires the preposition 'auf'. Saying 'Die Kosten betragen auf 100 Euro' is incorrect; it must be 'Die Kosten betragen 100 Euro' or 'Die Kosten belaufen sich auf 100 Euro'. Confusion also arises with the verb 'ausmachen'. 'Ausmachen' can mean 'to amount to' in a more colloquial sense, but it has many other meanings (like 'to turn off' or 'to matter'), so stick to 'betragen' for factual reporting until you are more comfortable with idiomatic German. Finally, don't confuse the quantitative 'betragen' with the reflexive 'sich betragen' (to behave). If you say 'Er beträgt 50 Euro', you are saying he costs 50 Euro, which is likely not what you mean if you are trying to describe his behavior!
- Mistake: Wrong Prepositions
- Learners often want to add 'zu' or 'auf' after betragen because they translate literally from other languages. Remember: betragen takes a direct object (the number) without a preposition.
Falsch: Die Miete beträgt auf 500 Euro.
Richtig: Die Miete beträgt 500 Euro.
- Mistake: Conjugation Errors
- The third-person singular is the most used form. Forgetting the umlaut (ä) makes the sentence sound 'broken' to native ears.
Falsch: Der Preis betragt viel.
Richtig: Der Preis beträgt viel (or better: eine hohe Summe).
- Confusing with 'kosten'
- Use 'kosten' for items (The bread costs...) and 'betragen' for the abstract sum (The total amounts to...).
Das Brot kostet drei Euro.
Die Rechnung beträgt drei Euro.
Die Geschwindigkeit beträgt 50 km/h (Not: ist 50 km/h, though understood, it's less precise).
Die Tiefe des Wassers beträgt zwei Meter.
German has several verbs that overlap with betragen, each with its own nuance and register. The most direct synonym is sich belaufen auf. This is often used in business contexts and emphasizes that a total has been reached through the addition of several parts. It is more complex because it is reflexive and requires the preposition 'auf' plus the accusative. Another common alternative is liegen bei. This is very popular in spoken German and news reporting when discussing prices, temperatures, or percentages. For example, 'Die Temperatur liegt bei 20 Grad'. It feels slightly less clinical than 'betragen'. For totals, you might also hear ausmachen, which is more colloquial. 'Das macht zusammen 10 Euro aus' is something you'd hear at a market. In a more technical or mathematical context, ergeben (to result in) is used when a calculation leads to a sum. For example, 'Zwei plus zwei ergibt vier'. While 'betragen' describes the state of the value, 'ergeben' describes the outcome of a process. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right tone for your conversation or writing.
- betragen vs. sich belaufen auf
- 'Betragen' is the direct statement of a value. 'Sich belaufen auf' often implies a total sum calculated from various items.
Example: Die Kosten betragen 100 Euro. vs. Die Kosten belaufen sich auf insgesamt 100 Euro.
- betragen vs. liegen bei
- 'Liegen bei' is slightly more informal and very common in media. It suggests a position on a scale.
Example: Die Inflationsrate liegt bei drei Prozent.
Der Schaden beläuft sich auf mehrere tausend Euro.
Der Preis für Benzin liegt zurzeit bei 1,80 Euro.
Das macht insgesamt 50 Euro aus.
- Summary Table
-
- betragen: Standard, formal, numerical values.
- sich belaufen auf: Formal, totals, business context.
- liegen bei: Common, news/media, scale positions.
- ausmachen: Colloquial, totaling up.
- ergeben: Result of a calculation.
How Formal Is It?
재미있는 사실
The link between 'carrying' and 'amounting to' exists in English too, if you think of how a sum 'carries' a certain weight or value. In the 18th century, 'betragen' was used more for behavior than for numbers.
발음 가이드
- Stressing the first syllable (BE-tragen is wrong).
- Pronouncing the 'a' short (it should be long).
- Forgetting the stem change to 'beträgt' in the third person singular.
- Confusing it with 'betrügen' (to cheat/deceive), which has an 'ü'.
- Pronouncing the 'g' like an English 'j'.
난이도
Easy to recognize in context as it's usually followed by numbers.
Requires remembering the stem change and the fact that it's a strong verb.
Learners often default to 'sein', so using 'betragen' takes conscious effort.
Clear pronunciation and usually followed by distinctive numerical data.
다음에 무엇을 배울까
선수 학습
다음에 배울 것
고급
알아야 할 문법
Strong Verbs (Starke Verben)
betragen -> beträgt (Präsens) -> betrug (Präteritum) -> hat betragen (Perfekt)
Accusative Objects
Die Miete beträgt [einen hohen Betrag].
Reflexive Verbs
Er beträgt [sich] gut.
Compound Nouns with 'Betrag'
Der Rechnungsbetrag, der Gesamtbetrag.
Asking for amounts with 'Wie hoch'
Wie hoch beträgt die Gebühr?
수준별 예문
Der Preis beträgt 10 Euro.
The price amounts to 10 Euro.
Simple present tense, third person singular.
Die Temperatur beträgt 20 Grad.
The temperature is 20 degrees.
Note the use of 'beträgt' for weather.
Die Länge beträgt einen Meter.
The length is one meter.
Direct object in the accusative (though 'einen Meter' is masculine).
Wie hoch beträgt die Miete?
How much is the rent?
Question form using 'Wie hoch'.
Die Wartezeit beträgt fünf Minuten.
The waiting time is five minutes.
Used for duration.
Das Gewicht beträgt zwei Kilo.
The weight is two kilos.
Measurement of mass.
Die Entfernung beträgt 100 Meter.
The distance is 100 meters.
Used for physical distance.
Die Gebühr beträgt einen Euro.
The fee is one Euro.
Accusative masculine 'einen Euro'.
Die Kosten für das Ticket betragen 50 Euro.
The costs for the ticket amount to 50 Euro.
Plural subject 'die Kosten' requires 'betragen'.
Die Fahrzeit beträgt etwa eine Stunde.
The travel time is about one hour.
Using 'etwa' for approximation.
Die Breite des Zimmers beträgt vier Meter.
The width of the room is four meters.
Genitive 'des Zimmers' as part of the subject.
Der Rabatt beträgt zehn Prozent.
The discount is ten percent.
Used for percentages.
Die Teilnehmerzahl beträgt zwanzig Personen.
The number of participants is twenty people.
Compound noun 'Teilnehmerzahl'.
Die Tiefe des Pools beträgt zwei Meter.
The depth of the pool is two meters.
Describing dimensions.
Der Unterschied beträgt nur zwei Euro.
The difference is only two Euro.
Using 'nur' for emphasis.
Die Höchsttemperatur beträgt heute 30 Grad.
The maximum temperature today is 30 degrees.
Meteorological context.
Die jährliche Miete beträgt 12.000 Euro.
The annual rent amounts to 12,000 Euro.
Adjective 'jährliche' qualifying the subject.
Die Verspätung betrug gestern dreißig Minuten.
The delay yesterday was thirty minutes.
Simple past 'betrug'.
Der Anteil der Frauen beträgt 40 Prozent.
The proportion of women is 40 percent.
Statistical context.
Die Kaution beträgt drei Monatsmieten.
The deposit amounts to three months' rent.
Real estate terminology.
Die Entfernung beträgt Luftlinie 500 Kilometer.
The distance is 500 kilometers as the crow flies.
Using 'Luftlinie' (as the crow flies).
Der Mindestlohn beträgt zurzeit 12 Euro pro Stunde.
The minimum wage is currently 12 Euro per hour.
Social/Economic context.
Die Gesamtsumme hat 500 Euro betragen.
The total sum amounted to 500 Euro.
Perfect tense (rare but possible).
Die Geschwindigkeit betrug zum Zeitpunkt des Unfalls 80 km/h.
The speed was 80 km/h at the time of the accident.
Formal reporting in simple past.
Die Inflation im letzten Jahr betrug 5 Prozent.
The inflation last year was 5 percent.
Economic reporting.
Die Fehlerquote beträgt weniger als ein Prozent.
The error rate is less than one percent.
Technical/Industrial context.
Der Wert des Hauses beträgt schätzungsweise eine Million.
The value of the house is estimated to be one million.
Using 'schätzungsweise' (estimated).
Die Reichweite des Elektroautos beträgt 400 Kilometer.
The range of the electric car is 400 kilometers.
Modern technical context.
Die durchschnittliche Lebenserwartung beträgt 81 Jahre.
The average life expectancy is 81 years.
Demographic data.
Die Kaution würde im Falle eines Schadens 500 Euro betragen.
The deposit would amount to 500 Euro in case of damage.
Subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II).
Die Steigerung der Produktion beträgt fast zehn Prozent.
The increase in production is almost ten percent.
Business growth context.
Die maximale Traglast des Krans beträgt fünf Tonnen.
The maximum load capacity of the crane is five tons.
Engineering terminology.
Die Differenz zwischen Brutto und Netto beträgt 400 Euro.
The difference between gross and net is 400 Euro.
Advanced financial terminology.
Die Verjährungsfrist für diese Straftat beträgt fünf Jahre.
The statute of limitations for this crime is five years.
Legal context.
Die Ausgaben für Bildung betragen einen erheblichen Teil des Budgets.
Spending on education amounts to a significant part of the budget.
Abstract amount 'einen erheblichen Teil'.
Die Wahrscheinlichkeit eines Sieges beträgt nahezu Null.
The probability of a victory is nearly zero.
Mathematical/Probabilistic context.
Das Defizit betrug am Ende des Geschäftsjahres Millionen.
The deficit amounted to millions at the end of the fiscal year.
Corporate finance.
Die Wirkungsdauer des Medikaments beträgt etwa zwölf Stunden.
The duration of the medication's effect is about twelve hours.
Medical/Scientific context.
Die Bevölkerungsdichte beträgt hier 200 Einwohner pro Quadratkilometer.
The population density here is 200 inhabitants per square kilometer.
Geographical/Statistical context.
Er betrug sich während der Verhandlung äußerst professionell.
He behaved extremely professionally during the negotiation.
Reflexive 'sich betragen' (to behave).
Die Entschädigungssumme beträgt einen siebenstelligen Betrag.
The compensation sum amounts to a seven-figure amount.
High-level legal/financial language.
Die Halbwertszeit dieses Isotops beträgt nur wenige Millisekunden.
The half-life of this isotope is only a few milliseconds.
Nuclear physics context.
Die Diskrepanz zwischen den Aussagen beträgt ein beträchtliches Maß.
The discrepancy between the statements is considerable.
Abstract measurement.
Sollte die Summe weniger als vereinbart betragen, wird der Vertrag nichtig.
Should the sum be less than agreed, the contract becomes void.
Conditional structure in legal German.
Die Neigung der Erdachse beträgt etwa 23,5 Grad.
The tilt of the Earth's axis is about 23.5 degrees.
Astronomy context.
Das Ausmaß der Zerstörung betrug unvorstellbare Dimensionen.
The extent of the destruction reached unimaginable dimensions.
Literary/Dramatic context.
Es ist fraglich, ob der Nutzen die Kosten übersteigen oder nur betragen wird.
It is questionable whether the benefit will exceed or only equal the costs.
Complex rhetorical structure.
Sie betrug sich in der Gesellschaft mit vollendeter Eleganz.
She carried herself in society with perfect elegance.
Archaic/Literary reflexive usage.
동의어
반의어
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
— A formal way to ask for a numerical value or price.
Wie hoch beträgt die Versicherungsprämie?
— To amount to an average value.
Die Temperatur beträgt im Durchschnitt 15 Grad.
— To amount to only/merely (emphasizing smallness).
Die Gebühr beträgt lediglich zwei Euro.
— To amount to just under a certain value.
Die Entfernung beträgt knapp einen Kilometer.
— To amount to at least a certain value.
Das Alter muss mindestens 18 Jahre betragen.
— To amount to only a fraction of something.
Die Kosten betragen nur einen Bruchteil des Originals.
자주 혼동되는 단어
Means 'to cheat' or 'to deceive'. It sounds similar but has an 'ü'.
Means 'to confirm'. Sometimes confused by beginners due to the 'be-' prefix.
Means 'to contribute'. It is a separable verb (ich trage bei).
관용어 및 표현
— To know how to behave properly in social situations.
Er weiß sich in feiner Gesellschaft wohl zu betragen.
formal/literary— To behave very rudely or clumsily (usually uses 'benehmen', but 'betragen' is possible in older texts).
Er hat sich wie die Axt im Walde betragen.
informal/idiomatic— Worn or second-hand clothes (rare, from 'tragen').
Er verkauft betragene Kleidung auf dem Markt.
rare/regional— To behave inappropriately or improperly.
Der Gast wurde hinausgeworfen, weil er sich ungebührlich betrug.
formal/legal— To behave in a chivalrous or noble manner.
Er betrug sich ihr gegenüber stets ritterlich.
literary— To behave like a child (childish behavior).
Hör auf, dich wie ein Kind zu betragen!
neutral— To keep quiet or behave calmly.
Die Kinder müssen sich während der Vorstellung ruhig betragen.
formal— To behave bravely in a difficult situation.
Der Soldat hat sich im Kampf tapfer betragen.
formal/historical— To behave in an exemplary manner.
Die Schüler haben sich auf dem Ausflug mustergültig betragen.
formal혼동하기 쉬운
Phonetic similarity.
'Betragen' is about amounts or behavior; 'betrügen' is about lying or cheating. 'Betragen' has an 'a', 'betrügen' has an 'ü'.
Er beträgt 50 Euro (He amounts to 50 Euro) vs. Er betrügt mich (He is cheating on me).
Both share the root 'tragen' and prefix 'be-'.
'Beitragen' is separable and means to contribute to a cause. 'Betragen' is inseparable and means to amount to a value.
Ich trage zum Erfolg bei (I contribute) vs. Die Kosten betragen 10 Euro (The costs amount to 10 Euro).
Same root 'tragen'.
'Ertragen' means to endure or tolerate something unpleasant. 'Betragen' is quantitative.
Ich kann den Lärm nicht ertragen (I can't stand the noise).
Same root 'tragen'.
'Vertragen' means to get along with someone or to tolerate a substance (like food).
Wir vertragen uns gut (We get along well).
Same root 'tragen'.
'Übertragen' means to transfer, broadcast, or translate.
Das Spiel wird live übertragen (The game is broadcast live).
문장 패턴
Der Preis beträgt [Zahl] Euro.
Der Preis beträgt 5 Euro.
Die Temperatur beträgt [Zahl] Grad.
Die Temperatur beträgt 22 Grad.
Die Kosten betrugen im letzten Jahr [Zahl] Euro.
Die Kosten betrugen im letzten Jahr 1000 Euro.
Der Anteil der [Substantiv] beträgt [Zahl] Prozent.
Der Anteil der Exporte beträgt 30 Prozent.
Wie hoch beträgt die [Nomen] in diesem speziellen Fall?
Wie hoch beträgt die Entschädigung in diesem speziellen Fall?
Er hat sich während der Krise [Adverb] betragen.
Er hat sich während der Krise vorbildlich betragen.
Sollte der Betrag [Zahl] Euro betragen, so ist...
Sollte der Betrag 500 Euro betragen, so ist die Gebühr hinfällig.
Das Ausmaß der Hilfe betrug ein Vielfaches des Erwarteten.
Das Ausmaß der Hilfe betrug ein Vielfaches des Erwarteten.
어휘 가족
명사
동사
형용사
관련
사용법
Very high in written and formal spoken German; moderate in casual conversation.
-
Der Preis betragt 5 Euro.
→
Der Preis beträgt 5 Euro.
The verb 'betragen' is a strong verb and requires an umlaut (ä) in the third person singular present tense.
-
Die Kosten betragen auf 100 Euro.
→
Die Kosten betragen 100 Euro.
Unlike 'sich belaufen auf', the verb 'betragen' does not take a preposition before the amount.
-
Ich betrage 20 Jahre alt.
→
Ich bin 20 Jahre alt.
You cannot use 'betragen' for your own age in personal conversation; 'sein' is the correct verb.
-
Das Wetter beträgt schön.
→
Das Wetter ist schön.
'Betragen' must be followed by a numerical value, not an adjective.
-
Die Summe hat 50 Euro betragt.
→
Die Summe hat 50 Euro betragen.
The past participle of 'betragen' is 'betragen', not 'betragt'.
팁
Stem Change Alert
Remember the umlaut! 'Es beträgt' with an 'ä'. This is the most common mistake for A2 learners.
Business German
Use 'betragen' in your invoices and professional emails. It sounds much better than 'ist' when talking about money.
Weather Reports
Listen to a German weather forecast. You will hear 'betragen' almost every time they mention temperatures.
Link to 'Betrag'
The noun 'der Betrag' means 'the amount'. If you know the noun, the verb 'betragen' becomes easier to remember.
Avoid Prepositions
Do not say 'betragen auf'. Just put the number immediately after the verb: 'Die Summe beträgt 50 Euro'.
The Equals Sign
Think of 'betragen' as the spoken version of the '=' sign. Subject = Value.
Betragen vs. Benehmen
Use 'benehmen' for everyday behavior. Save 'sich betragen' for very formal contexts or literature.
Asking Prices
Try asking 'Wie hoch beträgt die Gebühr?' instead of 'Was kostet das?' at a government office or bank.
Don't Deceive!
Be careful with 'betrügen'. If you mispronounce 'betragen', you might accidentally tell someone they are cheating!
Global Stats
When talking about the news or global issues, 'betragen' is the standard verb for percentages and data.
암기하기
기억법
Think of a 'Be-Tray' (betragen). Imagine a waiter carrying a tray with a bill on it. The bill 'amounts to' a certain price. The waiter must 'behave' well while carrying it.
시각적 연상
Visualize a giant equals sign (=) with the word 'betragen' written across it. On one side is a word (like 'Price') and on the other is a number (like '10€').
Word Web
챌린지
Try to find three things in your room and state their dimensions or price using 'betragen'. For example: 'Die Länge meines Bettes beträgt zwei Meter.'
어원
Derived from the Middle High German 'betragen' and Old High German 'bitragan'. It is a combination of the prefix 'be-' and the verb 'tragen' (to carry).
원래 의미: Originally, it meant 'to carry' or 'to bring together'. This evolved into 'to carry oneself' (behavior) and later 'to carry a value' (amounting to).
Germanic (Indo-European).문화적 맥락
No specific sensitivities, but be careful not to confuse 'betragen' (amount to) with 'betrügen' (to cheat), which sounds similar.
English speakers often just use 'is' or 'costs'. 'Betragen' is more like the formal 'amounts to' or 'totals'.
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
Shopping/Finance
- Der Preis beträgt...
- Die Summe beträgt...
- Der Betrag beträgt...
- Die Gebühr beträgt...
Weather/Science
- Die Temperatur beträgt...
- Der Niederschlag beträgt...
- Die Tiefe beträgt...
- Die Dichte beträgt...
Travel/Geography
- Die Entfernung beträgt...
- Die Höhe beträgt...
- Die Fahrzeit beträgt...
- Die Breite beträgt...
Statistics/Society
- Der Anteil beträgt...
- Die Quote beträgt...
- Die Zahl beträgt...
- Das Alter beträgt...
Formal Behavior
- Er hat sich gut betragen.
- Sich unmöglich betragen.
- Sich höflich betragen.
- Ein gutes Betragen zeigen.
대화 시작하기
"Wie hoch beträgt eigentlich die Miete in deiner Stadt?"
"Wie viel beträgt die durchschnittliche Temperatur im Winter in deinem Heimatland?"
"Weißt du, wie hoch die Entfernung von hier bis nach Berlin beträgt?"
"Wie hoch beträgt die Mehrwertsteuer in diesem Land?"
"Hat sich der Preis für Benzin in letzter Zeit verändert? Wie hoch beträgt er jetzt?"
일기 주제
Schreibe über die monatlichen Kosten für dein Hobby. Wie hoch betragen sie insgesamt?
Beschreibe die Dimensionen deines Zimmers (Länge, Breite, Höhe) unter Verwendung von 'betragen'.
Reflektiere über ein wichtiges Ereignis. Wie viele Teilnehmer betrug die Gruppe?
Vergleiche die Temperaturen in zwei verschiedenen Städten. Wie hoch betragen die Unterschiede?
Schreibe über eine Situation, in der sich jemand besonders gut oder schlecht betragen hat.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, 'betragen' can be used for any numerical value, including temperatures, distances, percentages, weights, and time durations. For example: 'Die Verspätung beträgt zehn Minuten'.
Technically you could say 'Mein Alter beträgt 20 Jahre' in a very formal document, but in normal conversation, you always use 'sein': 'Ich bin 20 Jahre alt'.
'Kosten' is used for the price of an item (Das Buch kostet 10€). 'Betragen' is used for the abstract sum or total (Die Rechnung beträgt 10€). 'Betragen' is more formal.
No, the prefix 'be-' is always inseparable in German. You say 'Es beträgt', not 'Es trägt be'.
In this case, it is reflexive: 'sich betragen'. For example: 'Er hat sich gut betragen'. This is similar to 'sich benehmen'.
It takes the accusative, but since it's almost always followed by a number and a unit, you only see it with masculine nouns like 'einen Euro' or 'einen Meter'.
No, you should say 'Die Temperatur beträgt 20 Grad'. The subject must be the specific property being measured.
It is 'betragen'. Because it is an inseparable strong verb, it does not get a 'ge-' prefix. 'Die Kosten haben 100 Euro betragen'.
It is common in formal situations or when reporting facts. In casual speech, people often use 'sein' or 'liegen bei'.
It is an adjective derived from 'betragen' meaning 'considerable' or 'significant'. 'Ein beträchtlicher Unterschied' is a significant difference.
셀프 테스트 200 질문
Write a sentence using 'betragen' to describe the price of a laptop (1200 Euro).
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Write a sentence about the temperature today (25 degrees).
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Translate: 'The distance between the cities is 100 kilometers.'
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Translate: 'The total costs amount to 50 Euro.'
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Ask a question about the rent for an apartment using 'betragen'.
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Use 'betrug' in a sentence about a historical price.
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Describe the length of a table (2 meters) using 'betragen'.
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Translate: 'The proportion of students is 20 percent.'
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Write a formal sentence about behavior using 'sich betragen'.
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Translate: 'The waiting time was 30 minutes.'
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Use 'betragen' to describe the depth of a pool (3 meters).
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Translate: 'The fee is only 2 Euro.'
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Write a sentence about the inflation rate (3%).
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Translate: 'The maximum weight is 20kg.'
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Ask how high the discount is.
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Translate: 'The difference was 10 Euro.'
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Use 'betragen' in a sentence about a car's range (500km).
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Translate: 'The daily rent is 50 Euro.'
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Write a sentence about the height of a building (50m).
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Translate: 'The total amount of the invoice is 150 Euro.'
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Describe the current temperature in your city using 'betragen'.
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Tell someone how much your rent is using 'betragen'.
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Explain the distance to the nearest supermarket using 'betragen'.
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State the height of a famous building you know.
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Describe a delay you recently experienced.
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Talk about a discount you saw recently.
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Mention the population of your hometown.
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Tell someone the length of your favorite movie.
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Explain the fee for a service (e.g., parking).
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State the percentage of battery left on your phone.
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Describe the weight of your luggage.
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Tell someone the width of your desk.
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State the number of people in your German class.
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Describe a price difference between two items.
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Mention the depth of a local swimming pool.
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Tell someone the speed limit on a road.
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Explain the duration of your flight.
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Describe the annual cost of a subscription.
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Mention the minimum age for an activity.
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Tell someone how you behaved at a party (reflexive).
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Listen: 'Der Preis beträgt fünf Euro.' What is the price?
Listen: 'Die Temperatur beträgt heute 20 Grad.' What is the temperature?
Listen: 'Die Entfernung beträgt 10 Kilometer.' What is the distance?
Listen: 'Die Verspätung beträgt eine halbe Stunde.' How long is the delay?
Listen: 'Der Anteil beträgt 15 Prozent.' What is the percentage?
Listen: 'Die Gebühr beträgt einen Euro.' How much is the fee?
Listen: 'Die Miete beträgt 600 Euro.' How much is the rent?
Listen: 'Die Wartezeit beträgt 10 Minuten.' How long is the wait?
Listen: 'Die Tiefe beträgt drei Meter.' How deep is it?
Listen: 'Die Geschwindigkeit betrug 80 km/h.' What was the speed?
Listen: 'Die Teilnehmerzahl beträgt 50.' How many people?
Listen: 'Der Unterschied beträgt 2 Euro.' What is the difference?
Listen: 'Die Breite beträgt 1 Meter.' How wide is it?
Listen: 'Die Kaution beträgt 1000 Euro.' How much is the deposit?
Listen: 'Die Inflation beträgt 4 Prozent.' What is the inflation rate?
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use 'betragen' when you want to report a fact involving a number and a unit. It acts as a formal 'equals' sign in sentences. Example: 'Die Entfernung beträgt fünf Kilometer' (The distance is five kilometers).
- Betragen means 'to amount to' and is used to state numerical values like prices, distances, and temperatures.
- It is a strong verb: the third person singular is 'beträgt' and the simple past is 'betrug'.
- It is more formal than 'sein' or 'kosten' and is common in news, business, and science.
- The reflexive form 'sich betragen' means 'to behave', but this is less common than the quantitative use.
Stem Change Alert
Remember the umlaut! 'Es beträgt' with an 'ä'. This is the most common mistake for A2 learners.
Business German
Use 'betragen' in your invoices and professional emails. It sounds much better than 'ist' when talking about money.
Weather Reports
Listen to a German weather forecast. You will hear 'betragen' almost every time they mention temperatures.
Link to 'Betrag'
The noun 'der Betrag' means 'the amount'. If you know the noun, the verb 'betragen' becomes easier to remember.
관련 콘텐츠
numbers 관련 단어
abrunden
A2(수치를) 내림하다.
absolut
A2절대적인; 완전하고 어떤 식으로든 제한되지 않은.
abziehen
A2합계에서 금액을 공제하거나 숫자를 빼는 것.
addieren
A2더하기(addieren)는 두 개 이상의 숫자를 합하여 총합을 구하는 것을 의미합니다. 기본적인 수학 연산입니다.
analysieren
A2분석하다
angeben
A21. (정보를) 기재하다, 신고하다. 예: 주소를 기재해 주세요. 2. 자랑하다, 뽐내다. 예: 그는 항상 새 차를 자랑한다.
Anordnung
B1물건의 배치나 배열.
anschließend
B1그 후에, 이어서. 우리는 식사를 하고 이어서 출발했습니다.
Anstieg
B1가격 상승이 관찰되었습니다.
anteilig
B1비례하는