01
bezahlen
to pay
To give money for goods, a service, or a debt.
example
Ich möchte bitte die Rechnung bezahlen.
I would like to pay the bill, please.
bezahlen
to pay
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Bezahlen' (to pay) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' always remains attached to the verb. It also causes the verb to almost always require an accusative object, meaning the thing that is being paid.
EXAMPLE
Er bezahlte den Kaffee und ging.
He paid for the coffee and left.
Sentence structure and use
You can say 'etwas (Akkusativ) bezahlen' (to pay something) or 'für etwas (Akkusativ) bezahlen' (to pay for something). The version with 'für' is often used when emphasizing the reason for the payment.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen noch das Abendessen bezahlen.
We still have to pay for dinner.
Typical collocations
Common and useful phrases are 'bar bezahlen' (to pay in cash), 'mit Karte bezahlen' (to pay by card), and also 'einen hohen Preis bezahlen' (to pay a high price), which can be meant both literally and figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Kann ich hier auch mit Kreditkarte bezahlen?
Can I also pay by credit card here?
Metaphorical meaning
In this figurative meaning, 'bezahlen' (to pay) is always used with the preposition 'für'. It is not about money, but about the negative consequences of an action.
EXAMPLE
Für diesen Fehler wird er noch teuer bezahlen müssen.
He will still have to pay dearly for this mistake.
Compare with
bezahlen vs kosten
to cost / taste
'kosten' and 'bezahlen' both have to do with money, but they describe different sides of the same situation. 'kosten' says what price something has. The thing or service is usually the subject: 'Das Ticket kostet 20 Euro.' (The ticket costs 20 euros.) 'bezahlen' says that someone gives money. The person is usually the subject: 'Ich bezahle das Ticket.' (I am paying for the ticket.) Learners often confuse the words because both come up when shopping. As a simple guide: a thing costs money; a person pays for something.
bezahlen
Nach dem Essen bezahlt die Fahrerin die Rechnung mit Karte.
After the meal, the driver pays the bill by card.
kosten
Der neue Rucksack kostet im Geschäft 45 Euro.
The new backpack costs 45 euros in the store.
In real life
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