to pay
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to pay
Used in fixed combinations to express that one gives someone or something a form of reverence, recognition, or respect. It is an elevated word that is often used with nouns such as respect, recognition, or tribute.
Wir müssen den Rettungskräften für ihren unermüdlichen Einsatz Respekt zollen.
We must pay the rescue workers respect for their tireless efforts.
The verb 'zollen' (to pay) is closely related to the noun 'der Zoll' (customs duty, fee). The common figurative meaning today comes from the idea of giving someone a deserved 'Abgabe' (payment/tribute) in the form of recognition.
Die Sportlerin zollte ihrer Gegnerin Respekt.
The athlete paid respect to her opponent.
'Zollen' (to pay) is used with two objects. The person or thing to whom honor is shown is in the dative, and the type of honor (e.g. respect) is in the accusative: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) zollen.
Der Redner zollte den Opfern des Krieges seinen tiefsten Respekt.
The speaker paid the victims of the war his deepest respect.
The verb 'zollen' (to pay) is used almost exclusively in fixed combinations with abstract nouns. The most common are: 'Respekt zollen' (to pay respect), 'Anerkennung zollen' (to give recognition), 'Tribut zollen' (to pay tribute), and 'Beifall zollen' (to give applause).
Das Publikum zollte dem Künstler nach seinem Auftritt lauten Beifall.
The audience gave the artist loud applause after his performance.
The use of 'zollen' (to pay) is limited to a formal or elevated style. It is found in speeches, official texts, or literature, but hardly ever in everyday colloquial speech.
In seiner Abschiedsrede zollte der Direktor seinen Mitarbeitern Anerkennung für ihre langjährige Treue.
In his farewell speech, the director gave his employees recognition for their many years of loyalty.
The original meaning, to pay a monetary charge or customs duty, is outdated today. It occurs only in historical texts and is no longer actively used in modern German.
In alten Geschichten mussten Reisende an der Brücke Zoll zollen.
In old stories, travelers had to pay a toll at the bridge.
to recognize / acknowledge
'anerkennen' and 'zollen' can both express that you show value, appreciation, or respect. 'anerkennen' is the normal and flexible verb: you can acknowledge an achievement or give someone recognition. 'zollen' is more elevated and is used almost only in fixed expressions, for example 'Respekt zollen' (to pay respect), 'Anerkennung zollen' (to give recognition), or 'Tribut zollen' (to pay tribute). The words can be confused because both have to do with respect. In everyday language, 'anerkennen' is usually more natural; 'zollen' fits better in solemn or formal statements.
Nach dem Konzert zollte das Publikum der Sängerin großen Respekt.
After the concert, the audience paid the singer great respect.
Die Trainerin erkannte den Einsatz der jungen Spieler offen an.
The coach openly acknowledged the young players' effort.