die Unsumme
a fortune
A very large, usually unreasonably high sum of money.
EXAMPLE
Für die Reparatur musste sie eine Unsumme bezahlen.
She had to pay a fortune for the repairs.
die Unsumme
fortune
die Unsumme, die Unsummen
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Unsumme, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Unsummen |
| genitive | der Unsumme |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Unsumme | die Unsummen |
| accusative | die Unsumme | die Unsummen |
| dative | der Unsumme | den Unsummen |
| genitive | der Unsumme | der Unsummen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Unsumme' (a fortune) consists of 'un-' and 'Summe' (sum). Here, the prefix strengthens the meaning: it refers to a sum that is perceived as exceptionally large or unreasonable.
EXAMPLE
Das Unternehmen musste eine Unsumme für die Schadensbehebung ausgeben.
The company had to spend a fortune on repairing the damage.
Typical collocations
'Unsumme' (a fortune) is often used with verbs related to paying and costing. Typical collocations include 'eine Unsumme bezahlen' (to pay a fortune), 'eine Unsumme kosten' (to cost a fortune), and 'eine Unsumme für etwas verlangen' (to charge a fortune for something).
EXAMPLE
Die Restaurierung des alten Gebäudes hat eine Unsumme gekostet.
Restoring the old building cost a fortune.
Emphatic style
'Unsumme' (a fortune) is expressive and usually conveys a critical or surprised evaluation of a financial demand. The word is therefore especially suitable for complaints, reports about high costs, and emotional statements.
EXAMPLE
Für dieses kleine Grundstück verlangt der Eigentümer eine Unsumme.
The owner is asking a fortune for this small plot of land.
In real life
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