unbezahlt
unpaid
Describes an activity, work, or internship for which you receive no money or salary.
EXAMPLE
Er leistet viel unbezahlte Arbeit für den gemeinnützigen Verein.
He does a lot of unpaid work for the nonprofit organization.
unbezahlt
unpaid
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Meanings
unbezahlt
unpaid
Refers to a bill, debt, or item of goods whose due amount has not yet been settled.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Schreibtisch lag ein Stapel unbezahlter Rechnungen.
There was a stack of unpaid bills on the desk.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is made up of the prefix 'un-' and the participle 'bezahlt' (paid). The prefix 'un-' expresses negation, so 'unbezahlt' literally means 'not paid'.
EXAMPLE
Die Rechnung vom letzten Monat ist immer noch unbezahlt.
Last month's bill is still unpaid.
Context clue
The context makes clear which meaning is intended. If people talk about 'Arbeit' (work), 'Praktikum' (internship), or 'Überstunden' (overtime), it refers to an activity without pay. If people talk about 'Rechnungen' (bills) or 'Schulden' (debts), it refers to an outstanding financial claim.
EXAMPLE
Sie macht ein unbezahlschtes Praktikum in einer Agentur.
She is doing an unpaid internship at an agency.
Typical collocations
In connection with work, 'unbezahlt' (unpaid) is often used for activities that you do additionally or without compensation. Common combinations are 'unbezahlte Überstunden' (unpaid overtime), 'ein unbezahltes Praktikum' (an unpaid internship), or 'unbezahlter Urlaub' (unpaid leave).
EXAMPLE
Viele junge Leute müssen am Anfang ihrer Karriere unbezahlte Praktika machen.
Many young people have to do unpaid internships at the start of their careers.
Use with 'bleiben'
In the meaning 'not settled', 'unbezahlt' (unpaid) is often used with the verb 'bleiben' (to remain). This expresses that a bill or debt remains outstanding over a longer period of time.
EXAMPLE
Trotz mehrerer Mahnungen blieben die Rechnungen unbezahlt.
Despite several reminders, the bills remained unpaid.
Compare with
unbezahlt vs offen
open
For an invoice, “offen” and “unbezahlt” both mean that the amount has not yet been paid. “Offen” is used especially in everyday language or accounting to describe an outstanding payment status. “Unbezahlt” states more generally that the payment has not yet been made.
unbezahlt
Trotz der abgelaufenen Frist ist die Rechnung noch unbezahlt.
Despite the deadline having passed, the invoice is still unpaid.
offen
Laut unserer Buchhaltung ist die Rechnung noch offen.
According to our accounting records, the invoice is still outstanding.
In real life
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