Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Schulden | /ˈʃʊldn̩/ | feminine |
| Verbindlichkeit | /fɛɐ̯ˈbɪntlɪçkaɪ̯t/ | feminine |
Schulden refers to money that one person or entity owes or is required to pay to another. Common expressions include Schulden abbauen, meaning to reduce debt and Sich in Schulden stürzen, which means to plunge into debt.
Which one should you use?
While the singular form Schuld can mean a financial debt or a sense of guilt/fault, the word for financial debt is almost always used in the plural form Schulden when referring to money owed. Verbindlichkeit is used in formal accounting or legal contexts to refer to a liability or a specific debt obligation, whereas Schulden is the general term for money owed.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form Schuld can mean both a financial debt and a sense of guilt or fault.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃʊldn̩/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the singular Schuld to mean financial debt. However, in German, Schulden is the standard way to express owing money.
Did you know?
- In a social context, if someone says Ich stehe in deiner Schuld, they are not talking about money, but are expressing a deep sense of gratitude and obligation for a life-changing favor.
- In German, the word for financial debt Schulden and the word for guilt or blame Schuld share the same root. This reflects an ancient cultural view that owing money was a moral failure or a transgression.
- The word Verbindlichkeit literally translates to 'binding-ness'. It describes a debt as a bond that ties the debtor to the creditor.
Examples in context
- Ich habe keine Schulden.I don't have any debt.This sentence is useful for saying you do not have any debt using Schulden.Tatoeba #8056224 by Luiaard, translation #3825423 by CK
- Sie ertrinkt in Schulden.She's drowning in debt.This sentence is useful for saying someone is drowning in debt using Schulden.Tatoeba #2653514 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2653215 by Hybrid
- Sie steckt tief in Schulden.She's deep in debt.This sentence is useful for saying someone is deep in debt using Schulden.Tatoeba #2195820 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2195328 by Hybrid
- Ich habe Schulden bei der Bank.I have debts with the bank.
- Das sind nur Pillepalle-Schulden.These are just small debts.
- Ich mache immer Schulden, wenn ich online einkaufe.I always get into debt when I shop online.
- 48 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a financial mistake at a cafe.
- SarahWie viel Schulden hast du genau?How much debt do you have exactly?
- JulianMeine Schulden sind leider sehr hoch.Unfortunately, my debts are very high.
- SarahKann ich dir bei der Rückzahlung helfen?Can I help you with the repayment?
- JulianDas ist sehr lieb von dir, Sarah.That is very kind of you, Sarah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “debt” translations and entries Schulden, Verbindlichkeit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
