unbezahlbar
The English word priceless is translated into German as unbezahlbar.
unbezahlbar describes something so precious that it cannot be sold at any price. In a financial context, it also serves as the literal term for something that cannot be paid, such as a debt that cannot be settled.
Meaning: so precious as not to be sold at any price (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word unbezahlbar is composed of the prefix un- (not), the verb bezahlen (to pay) and the suffix -bar (able to be), literally meaning unpayable or cannot be paid.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an attributive adjective before a masculine noun in the accusative case, unbezahlbar takes the -en ending, such as in einen unbezahlbaren Moment.
Did you know?
- While unbezahlbar means 'priceless' in a positive sense, Germans may use unbezahlbar ironically to describe a situation that is so absurdly expensive it is laughable.
- The word bezahlen is closely related to the concept of 'paying', but the root verb zahlen is also the word for 'to count' or 'to number'.
- The suffix -bar in unbezahlbar is a productive linguistic tool in German, allowing speakers to turn almost any verb into an adjective meaning 'able to be'.
Examples in context
- Jedes Leben ist unbezahlbar.Every life is priceless.Tatoeba #11394690 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8657878 by Hybrid
- Das Verschwinden einer Sprache bedeutet das Verschwinden unbezahlbarer wissenschaftlicher Daten.The disappearance of a language means the disappearance of priceless scientific data.Tatoeba #11604977 by chonkiewords, translation #5922037 by mailohilohi
- Das ist unbezahlbar.This is priceless.Tatoeba #3523299 by al_ex_an_der, translation #2233724 by CK
- Die Erfahrungen, die ich während meiner Reise gesammelt habe, sind für mich unbezahlbar.The experiences I gained during my trip are priceless to me.
- Das Gemälde ist von unschätzbarem Wert, da es ein Meisterwerk ist.The painting is priceless since it is a masterpiece.
- Die Zeit, die wir miteinander verbringen, ist mir sehr kostbar.The time we spend together is very precious to me.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Felix are looking at an old family photo album.
- SarahDiese Erinnerungen sind einfach unbezahlbar.These memories are simply priceless.
- FelixJa, sie sind sehr kostbar.Yes, they are very precious.
- SarahIch bin froh, dass wir sie haben.I am glad that we have them.
- FelixDas stimmt, Sarah.That is true, Sarah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “priceless” translations and entries unbezahlbar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
