Wette
/ˈvɛtə/feminine
The English phrase 'bet' is translated into German as Wette.
The noun Wette refers to a wager. If you want to say 'to make a bet' or 'to enter into a bet', the common collocation used is eine Wette eingehen.
Meaning: a wager (noun)
Which one should you use?
The noun Wette refers to the wager itself, whereas the verb wetten refers to the act of wagering or staking something upon the outcome of an event.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Wette is a feminine noun. The plural form is Wetten. When used as the direct object of a sentence, the phrase remains eine Wette.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈvɛtə/
Did you know?
- The German Wette is a distant relative of the English word 'wage'. Both originate from the Proto-West Germanic root *wadi, which referred to a pledge or security.
- In Germany, the phrase Wetten, dass…? became a cultural phenomenon due to a long-running TV show of the same name. The phrase is now used colloquially to challenge someone to prove an unlikely claim.
- The term Wette is distinct from Glücksspiel, which refers to gambling based on pure chance. A Wette usually implies a prediction based on an event with a perceived logic or outcome.
Examples in context
- Es ist eine Wette.It's a bet.This sentence shows how to identify a bet.Tatoeba #2300200 by Zaghawa, translation #2248996 by CK
- Was gilt die Wette?How much do you want to bet?This sentence is useful for asking about the terms or stakes of a bet.Tatoeba #442760 by Espi, translation #4664875 by CK
- Er gewann die Wette.He won the bet.This sentence demonstrates winning a bet.Tatoeba #9985588 by wolfgangth, translation #8478276 by CH
- Ich schlage eine Wette vor.I suggest a bet.
- Ihr könntet eine Wette abschließen.You could make a bet.
- Wie hoch ist der Einsatz?What is the stake?
- Der Einsatz beträgt 10 Euro.The bet is 10 euros.
- Willst du eine Wette abschließen?Do you want to make a bet?
- Klar, ich wette, dass er gewinnt.Sure, I bet he will win.
- Möchtest du ins Kino gehen? – Na klar!Do you want to go to the cinema? – You bet!
- Wetten?Bet?
- Na klar! Wenn ich recht habe, gibst du mir einen Euro.You bet! If I'm right, you owe me one euro.
- Abgemacht!Deal!
- 166 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are discussing a sports game.
- HannahIch glaube, dass wir gewinnen.I believe that we will win.
- FelixWollen wir eine Wette abschließen?Do we want to make a bet?
- HannahJa, ich nehme die Wette an!Yes, I accept the bet!
- FelixDann sehen wir uns später.Then I'll see you later.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bet” translations and entries Wette, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Wette, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
