teuer
/tɔʏ̯ɐ/
The English word "expensive" is translated into German as teuer.
teuer is a common and straightforward word used to describe something having a high price or cost. For more specific nuances, you might use kostspielig to describe something costly or resource-intensive or hochpreisig to emphasize high prices, often used for luxury items or premium services.
Meaning: having a high price or cost (adj)
Which one should you use?
While teuer is the common word for expensive, kostspielig is a more formal synonym often used to describe something that is costly or resource-intensive. Additionally, hochpreisig is a formal term that emphasizes high prices, often used for luxury items or premium services.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an attributive adjective before a feminine noun, teuer often changes its form to teure, such as in eine teure Uhr (an expensive watch).
How do you pronounce it?
/tɔʏ̯ɐ/
Did you know?
- In certain regional dialects, Germans may use gesalzen meaning 'salted' to describe a price. A gesalzene Rechnung is a 'salted bill', meaning the price has been artificially inflated.
- When Germans want to say something is 'too expensive' in a casual way, they might use the phrase das ist Wucher, which literally means 'that is usury'. It implies the seller is practically committing a crime by overcharging.
- The word teuer shares a common ancestor with the English word 'dear'.
Examples in context
- Es ist zu teuer.It's too expensive.This sentence is useful for saying something is too expensive using teuer.Tatoeba #632460 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #276955 by CK
- Das ist so teuer!It's so expensive!This sentence is useful for expressing that something is so expensive using teuer.Tatoeba #13974878 by Naina, translation #3075831 by AkuNeko
- Es ist sehr teuer.It is very expensive.This sentence is useful for saying something is very expensive using teuer.Tatoeba #796925 by Esperantostern, translation #456135 by lukaszpp
- Die Reparatur des Autos war sehr kostspieligThe car repair was very expensive
- Dieses Hotel bietet hochpreisige ZimmerThis hotel offers high-priced rooms
- Das Konzertticket war schweineteuerThe concert ticket was ridiculously expensive
- Das Kleid in diesem Geschäft ist echt sauteuerThe dress in this shop is really crazy expensive
- Dieses Restaurant ist eine reine AbzockeThis restaurant is a complete rip-off
- Das Essen in diesem Restaurant ist sehr preisintensivThe food in this restaurant is very expensive
- 355 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Hannah are looking at jewelry in a shop window.
- JulianDer Ring ist wirklich teuer.The ring is really expensive.
- HannahJa, das stimmt.Yes, that's true.
- JulianEr ist zu teuer für mich.It is too expensive for me.
- HannahWir suchen etwas anderes.We are looking for something else.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “expensive” translations and entries teuer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries teuer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
