kosten
to cost
To have a particular price in money.
EXAMPLE
Was kostet dieses Buch?
What does this book cost?
kosten
to cost / taste
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Meanings
kosten
to taste
To try a small amount of a food or drink in order to check the flavor.
EXAMPLE
Möchtest du mal von der Suppe kosten?
Would you like to taste some of the soup?
kosten
to cost
To require a certain amount of effort, exertion, or loss.
EXAMPLE
Das hat mich viel Zeit und Nerven gekostet.
That cost me a lot of time and nerves.
Usage tips
Double accusative
In the meanings 'einen Preis haben' (to have a price) (m01) and 'Aufwand erfordern' (to require effort) (m03), 'kosten' (to cost) requires two accusative objects: the person (whom?) and the thing (what?). For example: Es kostet mich (accusative) viel Zeit (accusative).
EXAMPLE
Die Reparatur hat mich fast 100 Euro gekostet.
The repair cost me almost 100 euros.
Distinguishing meanings
The meaning 'probieren' (to taste/try) (m02) always refers to food or drink. The other meanings (m01, m03) refer to price or effort and often have a person as an additional accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Darf ich mal von deinem Eis kosten?
May I taste some of your ice cream?
Use with 'von'
When trying something to check the flavor, 'kosten' (to taste) is often used with the preposition 'von' (of/from) and the dative. However, it can also be used directly with an accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Der Koch kostete von der Soße und fügte noch etwas Salz hinzu.
The cook tasted the sauce and added a little more salt.
Compare with
PreisversuchenAusgabebetragenfordernschmeckenAufwandprobierenBelastungGebührerfordernfressenverschlingen
kosten vs Preis
price / prize
Kosten is a verb and states how much money you have to pay for something. Der Preis is the noun for this amount of money. Use kosten to make a statement about the amount, and der Preis when you name the amount as a thing.
kosten
Die neue Kaffeemaschine kostet 120 Euro.
The new coffee machine costs 120 euros.
Preis
Der Preis der neuen Kaffeemaschine beträgt 120 Euro.
The price of the new coffee machine is 120 euros.
In real life
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