Summe
/ˈzʊmə/feminine
The English phrase 'sum' is translated into German as Summe.
Summe refers to a quantity obtained through addition or aggregation. While it can be used generally, if you are specifically referring to a sum of money in a formal context, you might use Geldbetrag. Additionally, the term Betrag is a formal way to denote a sum or an amount.
Meaning: quantity obtained by addition or aggregation (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Summe is a feminine noun and is used with the definite article die (die Summe). In the dative case, the article changes to der (der Summe).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈzʊmə/
Did you know?
- German speakers use the phrase eine gewaltige Summe to describe a sum of money that is so large it is considered overwhelming or 'violent'.
- While Summe is the standard term for a mathematical total, if you are talking about a 'round sum' of money, you would use the phrase eine glatte Summe.
- The German word Summe shares its origin with the English word 'sum' and the Latin 'summa', which translates to 'the highest point' or 'the top' of something.
Examples in context
- Die Summe kam auf 3000 Yen.The sum came to 3,000 yen.This example shows how to use Summe to express a total amount.Tatoeba #3962841 by Esperantostern, translation #274257 by CK
- Tausend Dollar sind eine große Summe.A thousand dollars is a large sum.This sentence uses Summe to describe a large amount of money.Tatoeba #2144522 by Tamy, translation #73499 by CK
- Ich bin die Summe meiner Erfahrungen.I am the sum of my experiences.This sentence uses Summe in a metaphorical sense regarding experiences.Tatoeba #11454403 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #11453121 by shekitten
- Der Geldbetrag muss bis Ende der Woche beglichen werden.The sum of money must be settled by the end of the week.
- Bitte überweisen Sie den Betrag auf das angegebene Konto.Please transfer the sum to the specified account.
- Die Summe aller Ausgaben beträgt 100 Euro.The sum of all expenses amounts to 100 euros.
- Die Gesamtsumme der Rechnung beläuft sich auf 500 Euro.The grand total of the invoice amounts to 500 euros.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are checking the bill at a restaurant.
- LukasWie hoch ist die Summe auf der Rechnung?How high is the sum on the bill?
- JuliaDie Summe beträgt genau fünfzig Euro.The sum is exactly fifty euros.
- LukasDas ist weniger als ich erwartet habe.That is less than I expected.
- JuliaJa, wir haben kaum Getränke bestellt.Yes, we hardly ordered any drinks.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sum” translations and entries Summe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Summe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
