die Pleite
bankruptcy
Colloquial term for the financial collapse or bankruptcy of a person or company.
EXAMPLE
Die Baufirma hat letztes Jahr Pleite gemacht.
The construction company went bankrupt last year.
die Pleite
bankruptcy / flop
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Meanings
die Pleite
flop / failure
Colloquial term for a general failure, a flop, or a major disappointment.
EXAMPLE
Das groß angekündigte Konzert war eine totale Pleite, es kamen kaum Zuschauer.
The heavily advertised concert was a total flop; hardly any spectators came.
Usage tips
Colloquial word
'Pleite' (bankruptcy/flop) is a word used mainly in spoken language and informal situations. It is a very common everyday expression.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann nicht mit ins Kino, ich bin diesen Monat pleite.
I can't come to the cinema; I'm broke this month.
Fixed expressions
For financial collapse, 'Pleite' (bankruptcy) is almost always used in fixed expressions. The most common are 'Pleite gehen' (to go bankrupt), 'Pleite machen' (to go bankrupt), and 'Pleite sein' (to be bankrupt/broke).
EXAMPLE
Nachdem der Hauptkunde abgesprungen war, ist die Agentur Pleite gegangen.
After the main client backed out, the agency went bankrupt.
Describing failure
To describe a general failure, 'Pleite' (flop/failure) is often intensified with adjectives like 'total' (total), 'riesig' (huge), or 'glatt' (complete). It expresses major disappointment.
EXAMPLE
Die Party war eine totale Pleite, weil die Musik so schlecht war.
The party was a total flop because the music was so bad.
Compare with
NiederlageInsolvenzblankBankrottRuinKonkursMisserfolgFlopFiaskoklammZahlungsunfähigkeitinsolventFehlschlag
Pleite vs Niederlage
defeat
Die Niederlage and die Pleite can both refer to losing a game or to a failure. Niederlage is the neutral term, whereas Pleite is colloquial and usually conveys a stronger sense of disappointment or evaluation. Use Niederlage in factual statements and Pleite in informal, evaluative language.
Pleite
Nach der Pleite im Halbfinale war die Mannschaft sehr enttäuscht.
After the semifinal flop, the team was very disappointed.
Niederlage
Nach der Niederlage im Halbfinale analysierte die Mannschaft ruhig ihre Fehler.
After the defeat in the semifinals, the team calmly analyzed its mistakes.
In real life
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