der  Preis

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/pʁaɪ̯s/

💰 What does "der Preis" mean?

The German word der Preis primarily has two meanings:

1. Cost / Monetary Amount: The amount you have to pay for a product or service.

   Example: Der Preis für das Brot ist gestiegen. (The price of the bread has increased.)

2. Award / Prize: An honor or reward someone receives for a special achievement (e.g., in a competition, for artistic or scientific accomplishments).

   Example: Sie hat den ersten Preis im Wettbewerb gewonnen. (She won the first prize in the competition.)

⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.

🧐 Grammar of "der Preis" in Detail

"Preis" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

• Nominative: Der Preis ist fair. (The price is fair.) / Der Preis wurde gestern verliehen. (The prize was awarded yesterday.)
• Genitive: Die Höhe des Preises überraschte mich. (The level of the price surprised me.) / Der Gewinner des Preises war sehr glücklich. (The winner of the prize was very happy.)
• Dative: Ich stimme dem Preis zu. (I agree with the price.) / Sie freute sich über den Preis (Accusative preferred here). (She was happy about the prize.)
• Accusative: Ich kenne den Preis nicht. (I don't know the price.) / Er nahm den Preis entgegen. (He accepted the prize.)

💡 How to use "der Preis"?

Usage depends heavily on the meaning:

• Meaning 'Cost': Used in commerce, business, and everyday life when talking about monetary values. Typical verbs: kosten (to cost), zahlen (to pay), festlegen (to set), senken (to lower), erhöhen (to raise).
• Meaning 'Award': Used in the context of competitions, honors, arts, culture, and science. Typical verbs: gewinnen (to win), verleihen (to award), erhalten (to receive), entgegennehmen (to accept), stiften (to donate/endow).

Idioms

• um jeden Preis: at any cost (literally and figuratively). Example: Er wollte das Auto um jeden Preis haben. (He wanted the car at any cost.)
• seinen Preis haben: to have its price (meaning something is expensive or has consequences). Example: Qualität hat eben ihren Preis. (Quality simply has its price.)
• einen hohen Preis zahlen: to pay a high price (meaning to make great sacrifices or suffer negative consequences). Example: Für seinen Erfolg musste er einen hohen Preis zahlen. (He had to pay a high price for his success.)
• heißer Preis: a hot price (colloquial for a very good deal).

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Preis"

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of 'price' tags often being handled by der Verkäufer (the [male] seller) or won by der Gewinner (the [male] winner) – associate the masculine role/ending with der Preis.

2. Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine seeing a Preis (price) on an item you want, and dreaming that one day you'll win a Preis (prize) for being awesome. Both are der Preis.

"Der guy wants a Preis, whether it's a pricetag or a prize!" (Connect 'Preis' to English 'price' and 'prize', and remember it's 'der').

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Watch out!

• preisen: A verb meaning 'to praise' or 'to promote'. Example: Der Händler preist seine Ware an. (The merchant praises/promotes his goods.)
• Reis: (der Reis) Means 'rice'. Sounds similar, but unrelated.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Kunde den Verkäufer: "Was ist der Preis für diesen Papagei?"
Sagt der Verkäufer: "1000 Euro."
Fragt der Kunde: "Was? Warum ist der so teuer?"
Antwortet der Verkäufer: "Der kann Goethes Faust auswendig!"
Fragt der Kunde: "Und der da für 50 Euro?"
Verkäufer: "Der kann nur zuhören."

Translation:
A customer asks the shopkeeper: "What's the price of this parrot?"
The shopkeeper says: "1000 Euros."
The customer asks: "What? Why is it so expensive?"
The shopkeeper replies: "It knows Goethe's Faust by heart!"
The customer asks: "And that one there for 50 Euros?"
Shopkeeper: "That one can only listen."

📜 Poem about "der Preis"

Der Preis, mal hoch, mal tief,
Für das, was man rief,
Ein Schild, das uns sagt,
Was das Kaufen wagt.

Doch auch Glanz und Ehr',
Kommt als Preis daher.
Für Mühe und Fleiß,
Ein Lohn, heiß ersehnt, weiß.

Translation:
The price, sometimes high, sometimes low,
For that which one called for,
A sign that tells us,
What buying dares.

But also glitter and honor,
Comes as a prize along.
For effort and diligence,
A reward, hotly desired, known.

🧩 Riddle

Ich kann ein Schild im Laden sein,
Oder Pokal und glänzender Schein.
Man zahlt mich gern, man will mich kriegen,
Mal bring ich Freude, mal muss man sich fügen.

Was bin ich?

(Lösung/Solution: der Preis)

Translation:
I can be a sign in a store,
Or a trophy and shining allure.
You might pay me, you want to win me,
Sometimes I bring joy, sometimes you must agree (to pay me).

What am I?

(Solution: der Preis / the price/prize)

✨ Other Information

Word Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen)

"Preis" is part of many compound words:

• Preisliste (price list)
• Preisvergleich (price comparison)
• Preisnachlass (discount, price reduction)
• Preisträger (prize winner, awardee)
• Nobelpreis (Nobel Prize)
• Sonderpreis (special price or special award)
• Verkaufspreis (selling price)
• Einkaufspreis (purchase price)

Etymology

The word "Preis" comes from Middle High German "prīs", which was borrowed from Old French "pris". This goes back to the Latin "pretium", meaning 'value, reward, purchase money'. Interestingly, 'preisen' (to praise) and 'Preis' (cost/award) share the same origin.