der Nachlass
discount
A reduction in price; a discount granted on a purchase.
EXAMPLE
Bei Barzahlung erhalten Sie einen Nachlass von drei Prozent.
If you pay in cash, you receive a discount of three percent.
der Nachlass
discount / estate
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Meanings
der Nachlass
estate
The total assets, property, and possessions of a deceased person that pass to the heirs.
EXAMPLE
Der Nachlass des Schriftstellers wurde in einem Museum archiviert.
The writer's estate was archived in a museum.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is derived from the verb 'nachlassen' (to let up / to reduce). It describes something that is 'nachgelassen' (reduced or left behind)—whether a part of the price (a discount) or a person's assets after their death.
EXAMPLE
Der Händler hat beim Preis etwas nachgelassen.
The dealer reduced the price a little.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning from context. If it is about prices, percentages, and buying, a discount is meant. If it is about death, inheritance, art, or literature, it refers to the assets of a deceased person.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe auf das Ausstellungsstück einen Nachlass von 20 % bekommen.
I got a 20% discount on the display item.
Typical collocations (discount)
When referring to a discount, typical formulations are 'einen Nachlass gewähren' (to grant a discount), 'einen Nachlass bekommen' (to get a discount), or 'um einen Nachlass bitten' (to ask for a discount). The preposition 'auf' (+ accusative) is often used.
EXAMPLE
Der Verkäufer gewährte mir einen kleinen Nachlass auf den Fernseher.
The salesperson granted me a small discount on the television.
Typical collocations (inheritance)
In the sense of an inheritance, 'Nachlass' (estate) is often combined with verbs like 'verwalten' (to administer), 'regeln' (to settle), or 'ordnen' (to organize). It also frequently appears with a genitive that names the original owner.
EXAMPLE
Ein Anwalt hilft dabei, den Nachlass der Verstorbenen zu regeln.
A lawyer helps settle the deceased woman's estate.
Compare with
Nachlass vs Erbe
inheritance / heritage
Erbe and Nachlass can both refer to the assets left after someone’s death. Nachlass tends to mean the deceased person’s entire estate, viewed from the perspective of what they left behind, while Erbe usually refers to what the heirs take over. Nachlass fits when discussing the administration of the estate; Erbe fits when discussing its transfer to the heirs.
Nachlass
Der Notar stellte zuerst fest, welche Schulden zum Nachlass der Verstorbenen gehörten.
The notary first determined which debts belonged to the deceased woman’s estate.
Erbe
Nach dem Tod ihrer Mutter teilten die Geschwister das Erbe untereinander auf.
After their mother’s death, the siblings divided the inheritance among themselves.
In real life
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