German word

Pleite

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈplaɪ̯tə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounbankruptcy

Example

Nach der Pleite musste er umziehen.

After the bankruptcy, he had to move.

Illustration for Pleite (bankruptcy)

More examples

Viele Einzelhändler fürchten die Pleite in der nächsten Saison.

Many retailers fear bankruptcy next season.

Core concept

A business has empty cash drawers, unpaid bills, and closed doors, while a planned venture ends as a flop.

Common phrases

  • eine Pleite erleiden

    suffer bankruptcy

  • in die Pleite geraten

    fall into bankruptcy

Similar words

Bankrott: Financial collapse after a business or person's funds have run out.
Insolvenz: Formal insolvency involving legal proceedings to settle or liquidate debts.
Konkurs: A legal insolvency procedure dealing with creditors and the liquidation of assets.
Überschuldung: A financial state in which debts exceed assets and repayment is not expected.

Definition in German

Finanzieller Zusammenbruch oder Zahlungsunfähigkeit; übertragen auch das Scheitern eines Geschäfts oder Projekts.

Word origin

German borrowed Pleite through Rotwelsch from Yiddish plejte, ultimately from Hebrew pleta, originally meaning 'escape', before it gained its financial sense.

Usage tips

  • Pleite is colloquial, whereas Insolvenz is the standard formal term in legal and financial contexts.

Other meanings

  • business failurenoun
  • collapsenoun
  • flopnoun

Opposites

  • Zahlungsfähigkeitsolvencynoun
  • Finanzstärkefinancial strengthnoun

Related words

  • pleitegehengo bankruptverb
  • Pleitelagestate of bankruptcynoun

Word lists with this word