die Zeche
coal mine
A mine where hard coal is extracted. The term is especially common in the Ruhr region.
EXAMPLE
Die letzte Zeche im Ruhrgebiet wurde 2018 geschlossen.
The last coal mine in the Ruhr region was closed in 2018.
die Zeche
mine / bill
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Meanings
die Zeche
bill
Colloquial for the bill in a restaurant, pub, or café.
EXAMPLE
Wer bezahlt heute die Zeche für die ganze Runde?
Who's paying the bill for the whole group today?
die Zeche prellen
to dine and dash
To deliberately not pay the bill in a restaurant or for a service (e.g., a taxi) and leave secretly.
EXAMPLE
Die Gruppe Jugendlicher hat versucht, in der Pizzeria die Zeche zu prellen.
The group of teenagers tried to dine and dash at the pizzeria.
Usage tips
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If people are talking about mining, coal, or the Ruhr region, it means the mine. If it is about paying in a restaurant or pub, it means the bill.
EXAMPLE
Mein Großvater hat früher auf einer Zeche in Essen gearbeitet.
My grandfather used to work at a coal mine in Essen.
Register and region
The meaning 'Bergwerk' (mine) is strongly associated with hard-coal mining, especially in the Ruhr region. Since there are no active coal mines there anymore, the word is often used historically in this context.
EXAMPLE
Viele ehemalige Zechen sind heute Museen oder Kulturzentren.
Many former coal mines are now museums or cultural centers.
Register
In the meaning 'Rechnung' (bill), 'die Zeche' is colloquial. In a very formal or upscale restaurant, you would more likely say 'die Rechnung, bitte' (the bill, please).
EXAMPLE
Hey, Ober! Bringen Sie uns bitte die Zeche!
Hey, waiter! Please bring us the bill!
Fixed expression
The phrase 'die Zeche prellen' (to dine and dash / to skip out on the bill) is a fixed expression. It means leaving a restaurant or taxi without deliberately paying. The verb 'prellen' is used almost only in this combination.
EXAMPLE
Wer die Zeche prellt, macht sich strafbar.
Anyone who skips out on the bill commits a punishable offense.
Compare with
Zeche vs Rechnung
bill / calculation
In a restaurant, Rechnung and Zeche can both refer to the amount to be paid. Rechnung is the neutral standard word and also fits contexts outside the hospitality industry, while Zeche is colloquial and refers to a restaurant, pub, or café. In formal situations, Rechnung is usually the more appropriate choice.
Zeche
Nach dem Geschäftsessen in der Kneipe bezahlten alle gemeinsam die Zeche.
After the business dinner at the pub, everyone paid the bill together.
Rechnung
Nach dem Geschäftsessen bat die Kundin im Restaurant um die Rechnung.
After the business dinner, the customer asked for the bill at the restaurant.
In real life
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