21 December 2025
How do you say Price in German?
The German word for price is der Preis.You’ll hear it everywhere - in stores, on signs, during sales, or when talking about value. It refers to the amount of money you pay for something, but also carries meanings like prize or award depending on context.
It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German (download the free illustrated PDF!) and it’s absolutely essential for travelers, shoppers, and negotiators.
Gender and Pronunciation
It’s a masculine noun: der Preis.Want to get better at guessing genders? Our video lesson shows you how with patterns that stick.
Pronunciation:Preis is pronounced [prys]
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Rhymes with ice
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One syllable: PRYS
Example sentences
Der Preis ist zu hoch.The price is too high.
Was kostet das? - Der Preis steht auf dem Etikett.How much is that? - The price is on the tag.
Sie haben den Preis auf 9 Euro gesenkt.They lowered the price to 9 euros.
Nuance and usage tips
💰 In most situations, Preis refers to what something costs. It can be followed by von, für, or zu depending on the sentence structure.
🏆 In other contexts, Preis also means award or prize, like Nobelpreis (Nobel Prize) or Filmpreis (film award). The meaning is clear from the context.
🛍️ You’ll frequently see it in compound nouns: Sonderpreis (special price), Festpreis (fixed price), Stückpreis (price per unit), etc.
How does this word come up in real conversations?
“Ich vergleiche immer die Preise, bevor ich etwas kaufe.”I always compare prices before I buy something.
“Der Preis ist wirklich fair.”The price is really fair.
“Hat sich der Preis verändert?”Has the price changed?
Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)
Alex: Wie viel kostet das T-Shirt?Jana: Der Preis steht da - 14,99 Euro.Alex: Hm, das ist okay. Ich nehme es!Jana: Gute Wahl!
Translation:Alex: How much is the T-shirt?Jana: The price is there - 14.99 euros.Alex: Hm, that’s okay. I’ll take it!Jana: Good choice!
Grammatical case examples
Nominative:Der Preis ist wirklich günstig.The price is really affordable.
Accusative:Ich habe den Preis schon bezahlt.I already paid the price.
Dative:Mit dem Preis bin ich zufrieden.I’m satisfied with the price.
Genitive:Die Höhe des Preises hat mich überrascht.I was surprised by how high the price was.
Other ways to say price in German
Kosten (costs) is often used for general expenses: die Kosten für das Auto. Gebühr (fee) is used for services like banks or government paperwork. Wert (value) describes how much something is worth, which is related but not identical to the price.
Still, Preis is your default word for anything with a price tag or transaction.
Word variations and tidbits
You’ll see Preis in countless compounds: Einzelpreis (individual price), Gesamtpreis (total price), Preisvergleich (price comparison), Preisschild (price tag), Preiserhöhung (price increase), Preisnachlass (discount), and the very German Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis (value for money).
🧠 Fun fact: In poetic or dramatic speech, den Preis zahlen (to pay the price) can mean dealing with consequences, not just money - and um jeden Preis means “at any price.”
📘 Duden entry for Preis:https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Preis🎥 Want to get top value from your German learning? Our video course covers this and 999 other high-utility nouns - clearly explained and easy to remember.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?Do you know what Richter means? He’s the one who decides if the Preis must be paid.And what about Rache? Sometimes the emotional Preis is higher than expected.
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