German word

zahlen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsaːlən/

Meaning

  • verbpay

Example

Wir zahlen zusammen.

We're paying together.

Illustration for zahlen (pay)

More examples

Er zahlt die Rechnung alleine.

He pays the bill alone.

Core concept

A bill's amount is reckoned and transferred to the person or business owed it.

Common phrases

  • die Rechnung zahlen

    pay the bill

  • zusammen zahlen

    pay together

  • pro Person zahlen

    pay per person

Similar words

bezahlen: Direct payment for a specific product or service.
begleichen: Settlement of an invoice or outstanding account through payment.

Definition in German

Eine Rechnung mit Geld begleichen; sowohl transitiv als auch intransitiv verwendet werden.

Word origin

The verb shares the Germanic root seen in German Zahl and belongs to the word family for reckoning amounts and settling what is owed.

Usage tips

  • Bezahlen can name the bill or item directly, while zahlen often stands alone or combines with für when the beneficiary matters.

Other meanings

  • settleverb

Opposites

Related words

  • abzahlenpay offverb
  • Zahlungsweisepayment methodnoun

Word lists with this word