01
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
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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
'die Rechnung' and 'die Zeche' can both mean the costs in a restaurant, café, or pub. 'die Rechnung' is neutral and fits almost all situations, including with companies, doctors, or tradespeople. 'die Zeche' is colloquial and is used mainly when eating or drinking in a place like a restaurant or pub. You also hear it in the fixed expression 'die Zeche prellen' (to dine and dash), meaning to leave without paying. Learners may confuse the words because 'Zeche' can also mean a mine. For normal and formal situations, 'die Rechnung' is the right word.
Zeche
Nach dem langen Abend in der Kneipe war die Zeche höher als erwartet.
After the long evening at the pub, the bill was higher than expected.
Rechnung
Im Restaurant bezahlt Herr Schwarz die Rechnung für alle.
In the restaurant, Mr. Schwarz pays the bill for everyone.
In real life
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