This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 adjective #4,500 most common 10 min read

teurer

Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips teurer in 30 Seconds

Explanation teurer in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn 'teurer' as a simple way to compare two things. You will mostly use it with the verb 'sein' (to be) and the word 'als' (than). For example, 'Der Apfel ist teurer als die Birne' (The apple is more expensive than the pear). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex adjective endings yet. Just focus on the basic spelling—remembering to drop the 'e' from 'teuer'—and the basic sentence structure: Subject + verb + teurer + als + Object. You will use this word most often when shopping or talking about basic needs. It is one of the first comparative adjectives you will learn because talking about prices is a fundamental part of daily life in any German-speaking country.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'teurer' in more varied contexts, including the verb 'werden' (to become). You might say 'Alles wird teurer' (Everything is getting more expensive) when talking about inflation or rising prices. You also begin to see how 'teurer' behaves when it comes before a noun. While you might still find adjective endings tricky, you'll recognize that 'ein teureres Auto' means 'a more expensive car'. You will also start using adverbs like 'viel' (much) or 'ein bisschen' (a little) to modify the comparison: 'Das ist viel teurer' (That is much more expensive). This level is about moving from simple one-to-one comparisons to describing trends and making more specific choices in stores.

By B1, you are expected to use 'teurer' with correct adjective endings in most situations. You should be comfortable saying things like 'Ich habe mir ein teureres Handy gekauft' (I bought myself a more expensive phone) and understanding the case requirements (accusative neuter in this case). You also start to use 'teurer' in more abstract discussions, such as the 'cost' of an action or the environmental impact of certain products. You'll understand the difference between 'teurer' and synonyms like 'kostspielig' and know when to use which. Your ability to justify why something is 'teurer' using 'weil' (because) or 'obwohl' (although) becomes more fluid at this stage.

At the B2 level, 'teurer' is used in professional and academic contexts. You might discuss 'hochpreisige Produkte' (high-priced products) or the 'Preisentwicklung' (price development) where things become 'stetig teurer' (steadily more expensive). You are expected to handle complex comparative structures without hesitation, such as 'Je teurer das Produkt, desto höher die Qualität' (The more expensive the product, the higher the quality). You will also encounter 'teurer' in idiomatic expressions and more formal writing. You should be able to debate the pros and cons of expensive investments and use the word to describe economic phenomena like the 'Immobilienblase' (real estate bubble) where housing becomes 'unverhältnismäßig teurer' (disproportionately more expensive).

At the C1 level, you use 'teurer' and its synonyms with nuance and stylistic flair. You might choose 'kostspielig' or 'preisintensiv' to vary your vocabulary in a business report or an essay. You understand the subtle connotations—for example, calling a project 'teurer' might sound like a simple fact, while calling it 'kostspielig' might imply it was a bit of a burden. You can use 'teurer' in complex grammatical constructions, such as 'trotz der teureren Anschaffungskosten' (despite the more expensive acquisition costs). Your understanding of the word extends into the realm of socio-economics, where you can discuss how certain policies make life 'teurer' for specific demographics and use the word to construct sophisticated arguments.

At the C2 level, 'teurer' is a tool you use with absolute precision. You can distinguish between 'teurer' and 'überteuert' (overpriced) in a legal or high-level economic context. You are comfortable with the word in literary contexts, where it might be used metaphorically to describe the 'price' of freedom or the 'cost' of a lost opportunity. You can effortlessly navigate the most complex adjective declensions, even in rare cases or formal bureaucratic language. You might use the word in an ironic or sarcastic way in sophisticated conversation. At this level, the word is no longer just about money; it's about the entire concept of relative value, sacrifice, and the intricate balance of economy and society.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

teurer in 30 Seconds

Teurer means 'more expensive' in German.
It is the comparative form of the adjective 'teuer'.
The middle 'e' is dropped in the comparative form (teurer, not teuerer).
It is commonly used with 'als' (than) for comparisons.

The German word teurer is the comparative form of the adjective teuer, which means 'expensive'. In English, it translates directly to 'more expensive'. This word is a cornerstone of daily commerce, personal finance discussions, and economic comparisons. When you are standing in a German supermarket like Rewe or Aldi and comparing the price of organic milk to conventional milk, you are inherently dealing with the concept of something being teurer. The word captures a relative state of value; it is not just that an item costs a lot of money, but that its cost exceeds that of another reference point. This reference point could be a different product, the same product at a different time, or the same product in a different location.

Comparative Logic: In German, the comparative is usually formed by adding '-er' to the base adjective. However, for 'teuer', the unstressed 'e' before the 'r' is dropped to make pronunciation smoother, resulting in 'teurer' rather than 'teuerer'.
Economic Context: It is frequently used in news reports discussing 'Inflation' or 'Preiserhöhungen' (price increases), where journalists describe how basic necessities have become more costly for the average citizen.

Das Leben in München ist viel teurer als in Leipzig.

Beyond mere price tags, teurer can also be used metaphorically or in abstract contexts. For instance, a mistake can be 'teurer' in terms of consequences or time lost. In the realm of quality, Germans often use the proverb 'Billig gekauft ist doppelt gekauft', implying that buying the cheaper option might eventually be teurer because you have to replace it sooner. Understanding this word requires not just a grasp of price, but an understanding of value systems within German culture, where quality (Qualität) is often seen as worth a 'teurer' price tag.

Benzin wird von Tag zu Tag teurer.

Grammatical Inflection: When used before a noun, the word must also take an adjective ending, such as 'ein teurerer Wein' (a more expensive wine), which adds another '-er' for the masculine nominative case.

Ich suche ein teureres Modell mit mehr Funktionen.

In summary, teurer is a vital tool for evaluation. Whether you are negotiating a salary, shopping for groceries, or discussing the cost of living, this word allows you to create a hierarchy of value. It is inherently comparative, requiring the conjunction 'als' (than) when a direct comparison is made. Its frequency in the German language reflects a society that is often price-conscious yet deeply appreciative of high-end engineering and craftsmanship.

Using teurer correctly involves two primary structures: the predicative use (after a verb like 'sein' or 'werden') and the attributive use (directly before a noun). The predicative use is the simplest for English speakers because it mirrors the English 'is more expensive'. In this form, the word does not change its ending regardless of the gender or number of the subject. For example, 'Das Buch ist teurer' (The book is more expensive) and 'Die Autos sind teurer' (The cars are more expensive) both use the same form of the adjective.

The 'Als' Connection: To compare two things directly, use the word 'als'. Example: 'Gold ist teurer als Silber.' (Gold is more expensive than silver.) Avoid the mistake of using 'wie', which is used for equality (so teuer wie).

Ein Flugticket ist meistens teurer als eine Zugfahrkarte.

The complexity increases with attributive usage. When teurer precedes a noun, it functions as a comparative adjective that must be declined. This means you take the comparative stem 'teurer-' and add the appropriate case ending. For a masculine noun in the nominative case with an indefinite article, it becomes: 'Ein teurerer Mantel' (A more expensive coat). Notice the double '-er' ending: the first '-er' makes it comparative, and the second '-er' is the masculine nominative ending. This can feel repetitive to English speakers, but it is grammatically essential in German.

Wir haben uns für das teurere Restaurant entschieden.

Using with 'Werden': When describing a process of increasing price, 'teurer' is paired with 'werden' (to become). Example: 'Alles wird teurer' (Everything is getting more expensive).

Warum ist dieses Handy so viel teurer als mein altes?

Furthermore, you can modify teurer with adverbs like 'viel' (much), 'etwas' (somewhat), or 'wesentlich' (significantly) to indicate the degree of price difference. 'Viel teurer' is a very common collocation used to express sticker shock or to justify why one might choose a different option. In professional settings, you might hear 'kostspieliger' as a more formal synonym, but in 90% of situations, teurer is the natural choice for both written and spoken German.

In the modern German-speaking world, you will hear teurer everywhere, from the evening news (Tagesschau) to casual conversations at a 'Stammtisch'. One of the most common contexts is the discussion of 'Mieten' (rents). In cities like Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg, residents frequently complain that 'Die Mieten werden immer teurer' (Rents are getting more and more expensive). This is a major political and social issue, making the word central to contemporary discourse on urban living and social equity.

In the Supermarket: You'll hear shoppers comparing prices: 'Ist das Bio-Fleisch viel teurer?' (Is the organic meat much more expensive?). It's a word of decision-making and budgeting.
On the News: Economic segments often feature headlines like 'Energie wird teurer' (Energy is becoming more expensive), discussing the impact of global events on local utility bills.

Im Vergleich zum Vorjahr ist Butter deutlich teurer geworden.

You also encounter teurer in the travel industry. When booking flights or hotels, websites often show price comparisons where a specific date or luxury option is marked as 'teurer'. In car dealerships (Autohäuser), sales representatives might use it to explain the value of an upgraded model: 'Dieses Modell ist zwar teurer, bietet aber eine bessere Sicherheitsausstattung' (This model is indeed more expensive, but it offers better safety features). It serves as a bridge between the concept of cost and the concept of quality.

Warum sind die Tickets am Wochenende teurer?

In Restaurants: When looking at a wine list, a waiter might suggest: 'Dieser Wein ist etwas teurer, passt aber hervorragend zum Steak.'

Das teurere Hotel hat einen Pool und ein Fitnessstudio.

Finally, in the workplace, teurer appears in budget meetings and project planning. 'Diese Lösung ist teurer, aber langfristig effizienter' (This solution is more expensive, but more efficient in the long run). It is a word of trade-offs. Whether you are a student comparing student housing or a CEO comparing international suppliers, teurer is the linguistic tool used to weigh options and justify expenditures.

The most frequent mistake learners make with teurer is spelling and pronunciation related to the elision of the 'e'. Many beginners intuitively want to add '-er' to the base word 'teuer' without changing it, resulting in 'teuerer'. While understandable, this is incorrect in standard German. The rule is that adjectives ending in an unstressed '-el' or '-er' drop the 'e' when a comparative or adjective ending is added. For example: 'teuer' -> 'teurer', 'sauer' -> 'saurer', 'dunkel' -> 'dunkler'. Remembering this 'dropped e' is the first step to sounding like a native speaker.

The 'Als' vs. 'Wie' Trap: English speakers often confuse 'than' (als) and 'as' (wie). In comparisons of inequality (more expensive than), you must use 'als'. Using 'teurer wie' is a common dialectal error even among some native speakers, but it is considered incorrect in high German (Hochdeutsch).

Falsch: Das ist teuerer wie das andere.
Richtig: Das ist teurer als das andere.

Another significant hurdle is the double '-er' in attributive usage. When you say 'a more expensive car', you need 'ein teureres Auto'. If it were a masculine noun like 'Mantel', it would be 'ein teurerer Mantel'. Learners often omit one of the '-er' suffixes, saying 'ein teurer Mantel' (an expensive coat) instead of 'ein teurerer Mantel' (a more expensive coat). This changes the meaning from a comparison to a simple statement of fact. Pay close attention to whether you are just describing something as expensive or comparing it to something else.

Falsch: Ein teurer Wein ist meistens besser. (Grammatically okay, but means 'An expensive wine', not 'A more expensive wine').

Confusion with 'Viel': In English, we say 'much more expensive'. In German, learners sometimes try to say 'mehr teurer'. This is wrong. You should use 'viel teurer'. 'Mehr' is used for quantities (more water), while 'viel' modifies the degree of the adjective.

Richtig: Dieses Haus ist viel teurer als wir dachten.

Lastly, be careful with the superlative form 'am teuersten'. Sometimes learners use teurer when they actually mean that something is the 'most' expensive. If there are three items and one costs the most, use 'am teuersten'. If you are only comparing two, teurer is correct. Precision in these degrees of comparison is a hallmark of advanced German proficiency.

While teurer is the most common way to say 'more expensive', German offers several alternatives depending on the register and the specific context of the cost. A very common synonym in formal or business contexts is kostspieliger. This comes from 'Kost' (cost) and 'Spiel' (play/effort), implying that something 'plays' with your costs or is generally pricey to maintain. It sounds more sophisticated than the blunt 'teurer'.

Teurer vs. Kostspieliger: Teurer: Direct, common, used for groceries, clothes, and general prices.
Kostspieliger: Formal, often used for projects, lifestyles, or complex investments.
Hochpreisiger: This literally means 'higher-priced'. It is often used in marketing and retail to describe luxury segments. 'Ein hochpreisigeres Segment' sounds more professional than 'ein teureres Segment'.

Die Renovierung des Hauses war viel kostspieliger als geplant.

Another interesting alternative is preisintensiver. This is a bit of a 'corporate' word, often used in reports to avoid the negative connotations of things simply being 'expensive'. It suggests that the price is 'intense' or requires significant capital. On the other hand, if you want to say something is 'more valuable' rather than just costing more money, you would use wertvoller. A diamond is 'teurer' than a book, but it is also 'wertvoller'.

Das neue Modell ist zwar hochpreisiger, aber auch langlebiger.

Prestige-Wörter: Words like 'exklusiver' or 'luxuriöser' often imply that something is more expensive by default, even if they don't explicitly mention the price.

Dieses Viertel ist exklusiver und daher sind die Mieten dort viel teurer.

When talking about the cost of living, you might also hear preistreibend (price-driving) to describe factors that make things more expensive. Understanding these nuances allows you to tailor your German to the situation—using teurer for your daily shopping trips and kostspieliger or hochpreisiger when discussing business strategy or high-end investments.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Die Umsetzung dieses Projekts erweist sich als wesentlich kostspieliger."

Neutral

"Dieses Auto ist teurer als das andere Modell."

Informal

"Mensch, das ist ja echt teurer geworden!"

Child friendly

"Das große Spielzeug ist teurer als das kleine."

Slang

"Das ist ja mal ein gesalzener Preis!"

Fun Fact

The English word 'dear' (as in 'Oh dear' or 'Dear friend') is a cognate of 'teuer'. In British English, 'dear' can still mean 'expensive', just like 'teuer'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈtɔʏ̯ʁɐ/

US /ˈtɔɪ̯rər/

Stress is on the first syllable: TEU-rer.

Rhymes With

saurer Abenteurer Ungeheurer Befeurer Erneuerer Betreuer Steuer Scheuer

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'teuer-er' (three syllables).
Confusing the 'eu' sound with 'u' or 'i'.
Forgetting to vocalize the final 'r'.
Over-enunciating the middle 'r'.
Failing to drop the 'e' from the root word.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize, though the 'dropped e' can be confusing for absolute beginners.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the spelling rule (teurer, not teuerer) and adjective endings.

Speaking 2/5

The pronunciation of 'eu' and 'rer' needs some practice.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard and usually clear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

teuer als mehr Preis Geld

Learn Next

am teuersten billiger günstiger kosten bezahlen

Advanced

kostspielig hochpreisig Inflation Kaufkraft Wirtschaft

Grammar to Know

Comparative Formation

teuer -> teurer (Drop the 'e')

Comparisons with 'als'

A ist teurer als B.

Adjective Endings in Comparative

ein teurerer Mantel (masculine nominative)

Use of 'viel' with Comparatives

viel teurer (not 'mehr teurer')

Predicative vs. Attributive

Das Auto ist teurer (predicative) vs. Das teurere Auto (attributive).

Examples by Level

Das Brot ist teurer als gestern.

The bread is more expensive than yesterday.

Basic comparison with 'als'.

Ist dieses Hemd teurer?

Is this shirt more expensive?

Interrogative sentence.

Ein Auto ist teurer als ein Fahrrad.

A car is more expensive than a bicycle.

Simple noun comparison.

Kaffee ist hier teurer.

Coffee is more expensive here.

Adverbial 'hier' modifying the context.

Warum ist das Wasser teurer?

Why is the water more expensive?

Question word 'Warum'.

Mein neues Handy ist teurer.

My new phone is more expensive.

Possessive pronoun 'mein'.

Berlin ist teurer als meine Stadt.

Berlin is more expensive than my city.

Comparing locations.

Diese Schuhe sind viel teurer.

These shoes are much more expensive.

Use of 'viel' as a modifier.

Alles wird jeden Tag teurer.

Everything is getting more expensive every day.

Use of 'werden' to show change.

Ich möchte kein teureres Zimmer.

I don't want a more expensive room.

Attributive use: neuter accusative ending '-es'.

Das teurere Kleid gefällt mir besser.

I like the more expensive dress better.

Attributive use with definite article.

Ist das Leben in London teurer als in Paris?

Is life in London more expensive than in Paris?

Comparison of two cities.

Wir suchen ein teureres Geschenk für sie.

We are looking for a more expensive gift for her.

Attributive use: neuter accusative.

Dieses Jahr ist der Urlaub teurer geworden.

This year the vacation has become more expensive.

Perfect tense with 'geworden'.

Ein teurerer Wein schmeckt oft besser.

A more expensive wine often tastes better.

Attributive use: masculine nominative ending '-er'.

Die Miete ist dieses Jahr viel teurer als letztes Jahr.

The rent is much more expensive this year than last year.

Temporal comparison.

Obwohl es teurer ist, kaufe ich nur Bio-Produkte.

Although it is more expensive, I only buy organic products.

Concessive clause with 'obwohl'.

Ich hätte gerne ein teureres Modell mit Garantie.

I would like a more expensive model with a warranty.

Konjunktiv II 'hätte gerne'.

Das teurere Ticket bietet mehr Beinfreiheit.

The more expensive ticket offers more legroom.

Attributive use.

In der Innenstadt ist das Parken viel teurer.

Parking is much more expensive in the city center.

Locational comparison.

Wenn die Energie teurer wird, müssen wir sparen.

If energy becomes more expensive, we have to save.

Conditional clause with 'wenn'.

Ein teurerer Flug ist oft flexibler.

A more expensive flight is often more flexible.

Masculine nominative ending.

Die Reparatur war teurer als der Neupreis.

The repair was more expensive than the original price.

Noun-based comparison.

Warum sind Markenprodukte so viel teurer?

Why are brand-name products so much more expensive?

Plural subject.

Die Inflation macht das tägliche Leben spürbar teurer.

Inflation makes daily life noticeably more expensive.

Adverbial 'spürbar'.

Manche behaupten, dass teurere Autos sicherer seien.

Some claim that more expensive cars are safer.

Konjunktiv I for indirect speech.

Je teurer die Produktion, desto höher der Verkaufspreis.

The more expensive the production, the higher the selling price.

Je... desto... construction.

Trotz der teureren Miete ist die Wohnung sehr beliebt.

Despite the more expensive rent, the apartment is very popular.

Genitive case after 'trotz'.

Ein teurerer Lifestyle erfordert ein hohes Einkommen.

A more expensive lifestyle requires a high income.

Masculine nominative.

Die teurere Variante stellte sich als langlebiger heraus.

The more expensive variant turned out to be more durable.

Reflexive verb 'sich herausstellen'.

Durch die Steuererhöhung werden Zigaretten teurer.

Cigarettes are becoming more expensive due to the tax increase.

Preposition 'durch'.

Es ist teurer, Fehler nachträglich zu korrigieren.

It is more expensive to correct mistakes later.

Infinitive clause with 'zu'.

Die Anschaffung ist zwar teurer, aber die Betriebskosten sind niedriger.

The acquisition is indeed more expensive, but the operating costs are lower.

Zwar... aber... construction.

Die teurere Hardware rechtfertigt den Preis durch ihre Leistung.

The more expensive hardware justifies the price through its performance.

Feminine nominative.

In Zeiten der Krise wird Luxus oft noch teurer.

In times of crisis, luxury often becomes even more expensive.

Abstract temporal context.

Der Verzicht auf Qualität kann am Ende teurer zu stehen kommen.

Giving up quality can end up costing more in the end.

Idiomatic 'teurer zu stehen kommen'.

Eine teurere Ausbildung garantiert nicht immer Erfolg.

A more expensive education does not always guarantee success.

Feminine nominative.

Die teureren Rohstoffe belasten die gesamte Industrie.

The more expensive raw materials are burdening the entire industry.

Plural attributive.

Es wäre teurer gewesen, das alte System beizubehalten.

It would have been more expensive to keep the old system.

Past conditional (Konjunktiv II).

Ein teurerer Anzug macht noch keinen Gentleman.

A more expensive suit does not make a gentleman.

Proverbial style.

Die ökologische Wahrheit ist oft teurer, als wir wahrhaben wollen.

The ecological truth is often more expensive than we want to admit.

Philosophical comparison.

Die teurere Option erwies sich als die einzig nachhaltige.

The more expensive option proved to be the only sustainable one.

Formal verb 'erweisen'.

Man muss den teureren Weg gehen, um Exzellenz zu erreichen.

One must take the more expensive path to achieve excellence.

Metaphorical usage.

Die teurere Prämie deckt auch seltene Schadensfälle ab.

The more expensive premium also covers rare cases of damage.

Technical insurance context.

Oft ist das teurere Versprechen dasjenige, das gebrochen wird.

Often the more expensive promise is the one that is broken.

Abstract usage.

Die teureren Implikationen dieser Entscheidung sind noch nicht absehbar.

The more expensive implications of this decision are not yet foreseeable.

Abstract 'expensive'.

Trotz teurerer Verfahren konnte die Qualität nicht gesteigert werden.

Despite more expensive procedures, the quality could not be increased.

Genitive plural.

Die teurere Symbolik hinter dem Werk erschließt sich erst später.

The more expensive symbolism behind the work only reveals itself later.

Literary/Artistic context.

Common Collocations

viel teurer

etwas teurer

wesentlich teurer

immer teurer

deutlich teurer

teurer werden

teurer verkaufen

teurer bezahlen

teurer als erwartet

ein teurerer Preis

Common Phrases

Das wird teurer.

— This is going to cost more. Often used as a warning.

Wenn wir das jetzt nicht reparieren, wird das später teurer.

Teurer geht immer.

— You can always find something more expensive. Usually said ironically.

Schau dir diese Uhr an! Teurer geht immer.

Viel teurer als...

— Much more expensive than... A standard comparative phrase.

Das ist viel teurer als im Laden.

Nicht viel teurer.

— Not much more expensive. Used to justify a purchase.

Das Bio-Brot ist nicht viel teurer.

Warum ist es teurer?

— Why is it more expensive? A common customer question.

Warum ist der Flug am Freitag teurer?

Täglich teurer.

— More expensive every day. Used during high inflation.

Die Lebensmittel werden täglich teurer.

Teurer als geplant.

— More expensive than planned. Common in project management.

Das Haus wurde teurer als geplant.

Etwas teurer, aber besser.

— A bit more expensive, but better. A classic sales pitch.

Dieses Modell ist etwas teurer, aber besser.

Immer teurer werden.

— To keep getting more expensive.

Die Mieten werden immer teurer.

Teurer als der Durchschnitt.

— More expensive than average.

Dieses Restaurant ist teurer als der Durchschnitt.

Often Confused With

teurer vs teuerer

This is the most common misspelling. The middle 'e' must be dropped.

teurer vs teure

This is the declined form of 'teuer' (expensive), not the comparative 'teurer' (more expensive).

teurer vs teuersten

This is the superlative (most expensive), used for 3+ items.

Idioms & Expressions

"etwas teurer bezahlen müssen"

— To have to pay a high price for something, often metaphorically.

Er musste seinen Erfolg teurer bezahlen, als er dachte.

metaphorical

"teurer zu stehen kommen"

— To end up costing more than expected.

Der Fehler kam uns teurer zu stehen.

formal

"Billig gekauft ist doppelt gekauft."

— Buying cheap means buying twice (because it breaks). Implies that the cheap option is eventually teurer.

Kauf lieber Qualität, denn billig gekauft ist doppelt gekauft.

proverbial

"Das Fell teurer verkaufen"

— To sell one's hide dearly; to not give up easily.

Sie werden ihr Fell teurer verkaufen.

idiomatic

"Teurer Spaß"

— An expensive bit of fun; a costly endeavor.

Das neue Auto war ein teurer Spaß.

informal

"In den sauren Apfel beißen"

— To bite the sour apple. Often done when something is teurer but necessary.

Ich muss wohl in den sauren Apfel beißen und das teurere Ticket kaufen.

idiomatic

"Über den Tisch ziehen"

— To rip someone off (making it teurer than it should be).

Er hat mich beim Preis über den Tisch gezogen.

informal

"Geld aus dem Fenster werfen"

— To throw money out the window (by buying teurer things unnecessarily).

Das ist doch Geld aus dem Fenster werfen!

informal

"Auf großem Fuß leben"

— To live on a large foot (living a teurer lifestyle).

Seit seiner Beförderung lebt er auf großem Fuß.

idiomatic

"Keinen Pfennig teurer"

— Not a penny more expensive. Used in advertisements.

Heute keinen Pfennig teurer als gestern!

advertising

Easily Confused

teurer vs teuer

Base form vs. comparative.

Teuer means expensive; teurer means more expensive.

Das ist teuer, aber das andere ist teurer.

teurer vs teure

Declension of base form.

Teure is 'expensive' (e.g., die teure Uhr); teurere is 'more expensive' (e.g., die teurere Uhr).

Ich nehme die teure Uhr. Nein, nimm die teurere!

teurer vs teuersten

Superlative vs. comparative.

Teurer compares two; teuersten compares three or more.

Das ist das teuerste Auto im Laden.

teurer vs wertvoller

Value vs. price.

Teurer is about money; wertvoller is about worth/importance.

Alte Fotos sind wertvoller als Gold, aber Gold ist teurer.

teurer vs kostspieliger

Synonym.

Kostspieliger is just more formal.

Ein teurer Urlaub vs. Eine kostspielige Angelegenheit.

Sentence Patterns

[Nomen] ist teurer als [Nomen].

Kaffee ist teurer als Tee.

Alles wird [Adverb] teurer.

Alles wird jeden Tag teurer.

Ich suche ein teureres [Nomen].

Ich suche ein teureres Kleid.

Obwohl [Satz], ist es teurer.

Obwohl es teurer ist, kaufe ich es.

Das teurere [Nomen] ist [Adjektiv].

Das teurere Ticket ist besser.

Je [Adjektiv], desto teurer.

Je größer das Haus, desto teurer.

Trotz der teureren [Nomen]...

Trotz der teureren Preise...

Es kommt [Dativ] teurer zu stehen.

Es kommt uns teurer zu stehen.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation and news.

Common Mistakes

Das ist teuerer. → Das ist teurer.
The 'e' in 'teuer' is dropped in the comparative form.
Das ist teurer wie das. → Das ist teurer als das.
Use 'als' for comparisons of inequality (more than).
Es ist mehr teurer. → Es ist viel teurer.
German uses 'viel' (much) to modify comparatives, not 'mehr'.
Ein teurer Mantel (when meaning 'more expensive'). → Ein teurerer Mantel.
You need the comparative '-er' AND the adjective ending '-er'.
Alles wird teureren. → Alles wird teurer.
In predicative use (after 'werden'), the adjective does not take a case ending.

Tips

The 'Dropped E' Rule

Always remember to drop the 'e' from 'teuer' before adding '-er'. This applies to all comparative forms and declined forms of the word. It's one of those small rules that separates beginners from intermediate speakers.

Use 'Günstiger' for Positive Vibe

If you want to say something is cheaper but in a good way, use 'günstiger'. If you say 'billiger', it can sometimes imply low quality. 'Teurer' is neutral, but 'günstiger' is a more professional-sounding alternative to 'billiger'.

The Vocalized 'R'

The 'er' at the end of 'teurer' should not be a hard 'R'. It should sound like a very short, relaxed 'ah' sound. Practice saying 'TOY-rah'.

'Viel' instead of 'Mehr'

Never say 'mehr teurer'. In English, we say 'more expensive', but in German, the '-er' at the end of 'teurer' already means 'more'. So you only need 'viel' to say 'much more'.

Formal Writing

In a professional email or report, try using 'kostspieliger' or 'hochpreisiger'. It sounds more sophisticated than 'teurer' and shows a higher level of German proficiency.

Cognate Connection

Connect 'teuer' to the English word 'dear'. In old English, 'dear' meant expensive. This can help you remember the root meaning of the word.

Price Sensitivity

Germans talk about prices a lot. Don't be afraid to use 'teurer' in casual conversation; it's a very common and socially acceptable topic of discussion.

Adjective Endings

When 'teurer' is followed by a noun, it needs an ending. Masculine: -er, Feminine: -e, Neuter: -es. Example: 'Ein teurerer Wagen'.

Listen for 'Als'

Whenever you hear 'teurer', your ears should automatically listen for 'als' to find out what is being compared.

Compare Daily Items

Practice by comparing things in your room. 'Mein Bett ist teurer als mein Stuhl.' This builds muscle memory for the 'teurer als' structure.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'teurer' as 'toy-rah'. If a 'toy' is 'rare', it becomes 'teurer' (more expensive).

Visual Association

Imagine a price tag that is physically taller or higher up than another price tag. That is the 'teurer' one.

Word Web

Preis Geld Kaufen Vergleichen Markt Inflation Budget Sparen

Challenge

Go to a German online shop (like Amazon.de or Otto.de) and find three items. Write three sentences comparing them using 'teurer als'.

Word Origin

From Middle High German 'tiure', and Old High German 'tiuri'. It is related to Old Saxon 'diuri' and Old English 'dīere' (modern English 'dear').

Original meaning: The original meaning was 'valuable', 'precious', or 'beloved'. Over time, it shifted to specifically mean high in price.

Germanic

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing someone's lifestyle as 'teurer' as it can sound judgmental about their wealth or spending habits.

In English, we often use 'more expensive'. In British English, 'dearer' is used similarly to 'teurer', reflecting their common Germanic root.

The term 'Teuerungsrate' is a staple of German economic news. The book 'Die Teuerung' by various authors often discusses economic crises. Proverb: 'Was nichts kostet, ist nichts wert' (What costs nothing is worth nothing).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Supermarket Shopping

Das ist teurer als bei Aldi.
Warum ist Bio teurer?
Ist das teurer geworden?
Gibt es etwas, das nicht so teurer ist?

Real Estate

Die Mieten sind teurer.
Ein Haus ist teurer als eine Wohnung.
In der Stadt ist es teurer.
Die Nebenkosten werden teurer.

Travel

Fliegen ist teurer geworden.
Das Hotel ist teurer als letztes Jahr.
Ist die erste Klasse viel teurer?
Wochenendtickets sind teurer.

Technology

Das neue iPhone ist teurer.
Mehr Speicherplatz ist teurer.
Die Reparatur ist teurer als ein neues Gerät.
Warum ist Apple teurer?

Work/Business

Diese Software ist teurer.
Die Produktion wird teurer.
Wir müssen teurer verkaufen.
Überstunden sind teurer.

Conversation Starters

"Findest du, dass das Leben in dieser Stadt teurer geworden ist?"

"Ist Bio-Essen wirklich so viel teurer als normales Essen?"

"Welches Land ist teurer: Deutschland oder die Schweiz?"

"Warum sind Markenklamotten so viel teurer?"

"Würdest du ein teureres Auto kaufen, wenn du das Geld hättest?"

Journal Prompts

Schreibe über eine Sache, die heute viel teurer ist als früher.

Ist es immer besser, das teurere Produkt zu kaufen? Warum oder warum nicht?

Vergleiche zwei Städte, in denen du gelebt hast. Welche war teurer?

Was ist die teurere Entscheidung, die du je getroffen hast?

Wie sparst du Geld, wenn alles teurer wird?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In German, adjectives ending in '-el' or '-er' drop the 'e' when you add a suffix like '-er' for comparison. This makes it easier to pronounce. Examples: teuer -> teurer, sauer -> saurer.

No, in standard German (Hochdeutsch), you must use 'als' for comparisons of inequality. 'Teurer als' is correct. 'Teurer wie' is a common regional error.

They mean the same thing, but 'teurer' is used in everyday life (groceries, clothes), while 'kostspieliger' is more formal and often used for business projects or expensive lifestyles.

You take 'teurer' as the base and add adjective endings. For example: masculine nominative 'ein teurerer Mantel', feminine 'eine teurere Tasche', neuter 'ein teureres Auto'.

Usually, yes. However, it can be used metaphorically to mean something that 'costs' you a lot in terms of effort, time, or consequences, though 'kostspielig' is more common for that.

The basic concept is A1, but using it with correct adjective endings and in complex sentences is generally considered A2 or B1.

The most common opposites are 'billiger' (cheaper) or 'günstiger' (more affordable/favorable).

Use 'viel teurer'. Do not use 'mehr teurer', as 'mehr' is not used to modify adjectives in this way.

No, you wouldn't call a person 'teurer' unless you were jokingly referring to how much money they spend. For 'dear' (beloved), use 'lieber'.

Common ones include 'teurer zu stehen kommen' (to end up costing more) and 'sein Fell teurer verkaufen' (to put up a hard fight).