Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rabatt | /ʁaˈbat/ | masculine |
| Preisnachlass | masculine | |
| Nachlass | masculine | |
| Ermäßigung | /ɛɐ̯ˈmɛːsɪɡʊŋ/ /ɛɐ̯ˈmeːsɪɡʊŋ/ |
feminine |
The term Rabatt is a common and universal way to express a discount in German. Other related terms include Sparangebot for a special offer and Ausverkauf for a clearance sale. While there are several ways to talk about reducing costs, the verb phrase einen Rabatt gewähren or Nachlass gewähren is used to mean "to grant a discount" in professional or formal business contexts.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the context of the reduction. Rabatt is the most common word for a commercial discount or a percentage off a price in a retail setting. Preisnachlass and Preisermäßigung are formal terms that emphasize a reduction in price. Ermäßigung is typically used for official reductions, such as student discounts or reduced-price tickets for seniors and children. Additionally, the English loanword Deals is frequently used by German speakers to refer to discounts or special offers.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Switzerland, the term Reduktion is often used to express a discount.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Rabatt, Preisnachlass and Nachlass are masculine nouns. Ermäßigung is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁaˈbat/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful when using Nachlass, as this word can also mean "estate" (referring to an inheritance) depending on the context.
Did you know?
- The German word Rabatt is a linguistic relative of the English word 'rebate'. Both words trace their lineage back to the Late Latin verb 'battuere', meaning 'to strike'.
Examples in context
- Tom bat um einen Rabatt.Tom asked for a discount.This sentence shows how to use Rabatt when asking for a discount.Tatoeba #12387917 by mayabe, translation #1095898 by CK
- Hast du Rabatt bekommen?Did they give you a discount?This sentence demonstrates how to ask if someone received a Rabatt.Tatoeba #13484953 by Waldelfe, translation #9414702 by CK
- Manche Läden geben Rabatt.Some stores discount the price.This sentence shows how stores might provide a Rabatt.Tatoeba #770437 by samueldora, translation #24414 by RJH
- Der Artikel hat einen Rabatt von 20%.The item has a discount of 20%.
- Wir gewähren Ihnen einen Preisnachlass von 10% für Ihre Großbestellung.We provide you with a discount of 10% for your bulk order.
- Hast du irgendwelche guten Schnäppchen im Sale gefunden?Did you find any good bargains in the sale?
- Es gibt tolle Deals für elektronische Geräte in diesem Geschäft.There are great deals on electronic devices in this store.
- Könnten Sie mir bitte einen Rabatt gewähren?Could you please grant me a discount?
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Julia are shopping for clothes in a boutique.
- FelixJulia, schau mal, dieses Kleid hat einen Rabatt!Julia, look, this dress has a discount!
- JuliaWirklich? Wie hoch ist der Rabatt?Really? How high is the discount?
- FelixEr beträgt fünfzig Prozent.It is fifty percent.
- JuliaDas ist ein toller Rabatt, Felix!That is a great discount, Felix!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “discount” translations and entries Rabatt, Preisnachlass, Nachlass, Ermäßigung, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Ermäßigung, Nachlass, Rabatt, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
