01
der Batzen
wad
Colloquial term for a large, often unexpectedly high sum of money.
example
Das neue Auto hat einen ganzen Batzen Geld gekostet.
The new car cost a whole wad of money.
der Batzen
wad / lump
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
You can tell from the context whether 'Batzen' means money or a lump of material. If it is about costs, prices, or finances, money is meant. In connection with moldable materials such as dough or clay, it means a lump.
EXAMPLE
Für die Reparatur musste ich einen Batzen Geld bezahlen.
I had to pay a wad of money for the repair.
Register: colloquial
The use of 'Batzen' for a large sum of money is colloquial. In formal texts or conversations, people are less likely to use the word.
EXAMPLE
Wow, die neue Kamera kostet ja einen ganz schönen Batzen!
Wow, that new camera costs quite a wad!
Typical collocations
The fixed phrase 'ein Batzen Geld' (a wad of money) is very common. You can also say that something 'einen Batzen kostet' (costs a wad) or is 'ein ordentlicher Batzen' (quite a sum).
EXAMPLE
Sein Lottogewinn war ein ordentlicher Batzen Geld.
His lottery win was quite a wad of money.
Typical collocations
In this meaning, 'Batzen' often appears together with the name of a material. Typical phrases are 'ein Batzen Lehm' (a lump of loam/clay), 'ein Batzen Ton' (a lump of clay), or 'ein Batzen Teig' (a lump of dough).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder warfen große Batzen Schnee gegeneinander.
The children threw large lumps of snow at each other.
Historical context
The meaning as a coin is purely historical. You will find this word in texts about the history of money or in museums, but not in modern payment transactions.
EXAMPLE
Der ausgestellte Batzen stammt aus dem alten Bern.
The displayed Batzen coin comes from old Bern.
Compare with
Batzen vs Summe
sum
'die Summe' and 'der Batzen' can both mean an amount of money. 'die Summe' is neutral and works in almost all situations, including invoices, contracts, and conversations. 'der Batzen' is colloquial and usually means a large, often surprisingly high sum of money. The words can be confused because both talk about money. But 'Batzen' sounds much more casual and presents the amount as large. In formal texts or precise statements, 'Summe' is better.
Batzen
Die neue Waschmaschine kostet einen ordentlichen Batzen Geld.
The new washing machine costs a serious wad of money.
Summe
Für die Reparatur müssen wir eine hohe Summe bezahlen.
We have to pay a large sum for the repair.
In real life
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