German Conversation · Level 163
30 words
German word
kostspielig
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈkɔstˌʃpiːlɪç/
Meaning
- adjectiveexpensive
Example
Ich habe ein kostspieliges Geschenk gekauft.
I bought an expensive gift.
More examples
Bei kostspieligen Investitionen sollte man Risiken sorgfältig prüfen.
When making expensive investments, one should carefully examine the risks.
Core concept
A purchase or undertaking with a large bill attached, where the expense is substantial rather than minor.
Common phrases
bei kostspieligen Investitionen
in expensive investments
ein kostspieliges Hotel
an expensive hotel
ein kostspieliges Abendessen
an expensive dinner
Similar words
teuer: Costing a lot of money in an ordinary, everyday sense.
exorbitant: So expensive that the price greatly exceeds the usual range.
hochpreisig: Positioned for sale at the higher end of the price range.
Definition in German
Als teuer bezeichnet; verursacht hohe Ausgaben.
Word origin
Kostspielig is historically related to Kost and Kosten, German words for expense or cost, and developed as an adjective for something that entails substantial expense.
Usage tips
- Kostspielig is more formal than everyday teuer and is common when written or professional language emphasizes the scale of an expense.
Opposites
- günstigcheapadjective
- erschwinglichaffordableadjective
Related words
- Kostspieligkeitcostlinessnoun