der
Sonderpreis
💰 What exactly is a 'Sonderpreis'?
Der Sonderpreis (noun, masculine) refers to a price that is lower than the usual or regular price of a product or service, often for a limited time or under specific conditions. It's a special offer, frequently found during sales events, discount campaigns, or clearances.
Essentially, it's a reduced price designed to encourage customers to buy. You often encounter Sonderpreise in retail, travel, or for special services.
Although the word is mostly used in the singular ('der Sonderpreis') when referring to the concept, the plural die Sonderpreise exists when referring to multiple specific offers.
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Sonderpreis
The word 'Sonderpreis' is a masculine noun. The article is der.
Declension Singular
Here is the declension in the singular:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der | Sonderpreis |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des | Sonderpreises |
| Dative (To whom?) | dem | Sonderpreis(e) |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den | Sonderpreis |
Declension Plural
The plural is 'die Sonderpreise'. It's used when talking about multiple special offers.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Sonderpreise |
| Genitive | der | Sonderpreise |
| Dative | den | Sonderpreisen |
| Accusative | die | Sonderpreise |
Contextual Examples
- Das T-Shirt gibt es heute zum Sonderpreis von nur 10 Euro.
(The T-shirt is available today at the special price of only 10 euros.) - Viele Kunden warten auf die Sonderpreise am Black Friday.
(Many customers wait for the special prices on Black Friday.) - Der Händler bot mir einen Sonderpreis an, weil ich Stammkunde bin.
(The retailer offered me a special price because I am a regular customer.) - Dank des Sonderpreises konnte ich mir das teure Buch leisten.
(Thanks to the special price, I could afford the expensive book.)
🛒 When and How to Use 'Sonderpreis'?
'Der Sonderpreis' is primarily used in the context of commerce, sales, and marketing. It signals a temporary or quantitatively limited, advantageous offer.
- Sales Promotion: Companies use Sonderpreise to reduce inventory, attract new customers, or boost demand (e.g., 'Sommer-Sonderpreise' - summer special prices, 'Eröffnungs-Sonderpreis' - opening special price).
- Difference from 'Rabatt': While 'Rabatt' (discount) often refers to a percentage reduction (e.g., 20% Rabatt), the 'Sonderpreis' is the resulting, specific, lower final price. However, you can also say 'ein Produkt zum Sonderpreis anbieten' (to offer a product at a special price).
- Context: Typical phrases include 'zum Sonderpreis' (at a special price), 'Sonderpreise für Mitglieder' (special prices for members), 'nur für kurze Zeit zum Sonderpreis' (only for a short time at a special price).
🚨 Caution: A Sonderpreis isn't necessarily the absolute lowest price on the market, but rather a price below the regular price of that specific provider.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Sonderpreis'
Article Mnemonic: Remember that 'Preis' (price) in German is masculine: 'der Preis'. A Sonderpreis is just a 'special' kind of price, so the article stays the same: der Sonderpreis.
Meaning Mnemonic: 'Sonder' sounds a bit like the English word 'yonder' or 'wonder'. Imagine seeing a wonderful price over yonder – it’s a Sonderpreis, a special, wonderful deal that makes you wander over to buy it! ✨🏷️
↔️ Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Angebotspreis: Offer price (price as part of a special offer).
- Aktionspreis: Promotional price (price during a sales campaign).
- Rabattpreis: Discount price (price after a discount is applied).
- Schnäppchenpreis: Colloquial for bargain price.
- Vorzugspreis: Preferential price (discounted price for specific groups, e.g., members).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Normalpreis: Normal price.
- Standardpreis: Standard price.
- Listenpreis: List price (official price before discounts).
- Vollpreis: Full price.
⚠️ Potential Confusion: A 'Sonderpreis' is a specific amount. A 'Rabatt' (discount) is usually a reduction (percentage or amount) taken off the Normalpreis to arrive at the Sonderpreis.
😂 A Little Price Joke
Kunde: "Ist das Ihr letzter Preis?"
Verkäufer: "Nein, das ist der Sonderpreis. Der letzte Preis war gestern!" 😉
Customer: "Is this your final price?"
Salesperson: "No, this is the special price. The final price was yesterday!" 😉
📜 Poem About Saving
Der Preis, der war mal hoch und teuer,
doch heut', da lodert Sparfuchs-Feuer.
Ein Schild verkündet weit und breit:
Der Sonderpreis ist da – bereit!
Kein Zögern mehr, schnell zugeschlagen,
bevor die alten Preise plagen.
Ein Lächeln huscht übers Gesicht,
dank diesem Preis, dem Spar-Gedicht.
The price was once high and dear,
but today, the bargain hunter's fire is here.
A sign announces far and wide:
The special price is here – ready inside!
No more hesitation, quickly seize the day,
before the old prices cause dismay.
A smile flits across the face,
thanks to this price, this saving grace.
❓ Price Riddle
Ich bin nicht normal, doch sehr begehrt,
wer mich erblickt, hat Geld gesperrt... äh, gespart, das ist der Sinn!
Oft bin ich nur für kurze Frist,
bevor der alte Preis wieder ist.
Was bin ich?
I'm not normal, but highly desired,
whoever sees me, has money saved... that's the idea!
Often I exist only for a short time,
before the old price returns to its prime.
What am I?
Solution: Der Sonderpreis (The special price)
💡 Other Interesting Info
Word Composition:
The word 'Sonderpreis' is a compound noun, composed of:
- Sonder-: Here meaning 'special', 'particular', 'deviating from the norm'. From the adjective/adverb 'sonder'.
- Preis: Meaning 'price', the amount of money required for a good or service.
Typical Collocations:
- etwas zum Sonderpreis anbieten/kaufen/erhalten (to offer/buy/receive something at a special price)
- ein besonderer Sonderpreis (a very special price / special special price - slightly redundant but used for emphasis)
- zeitlich begrenzte Sonderpreise (time-limited special prices)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Sonderpreis?
The word "Sonderpreis" is masculine. The correct article is der Sonderpreis. The plural is "die Sonderpreise".