Breakdown of Zehn Euro für einen Tee? So ein Wahnsinn!
ein
a, an (eine)
der Tee
the tea
zehn
ten
für
for
der Euro
the euro
so ein
such a (so ein, so eine, so einen)
der Wahnsinn
the madness
Questions & Answers about Zehn Euro für einen Tee? So ein Wahnsinn!
Why is it Euro and not Euros since there are ten of them?
In German, masculine and neuter nouns that act as units of measurement or currency usually stay in their singular form after numbers. You say zehn Euro and fünf Cent, just like you would say zwei Kilo (two kilos) or drei Glas (three glasses).
Why is it einen Tee in the accusative case here?
The preposition für is a strict accusative-only preposition. Since Tee is a masculine noun (der Tee), the indefinite article must take the masculine accusative ending, becoming einen.
How exactly does so ein work in this sentence?
In German exclamations, so ein (or so eine for feminine nouns) is the direct equivalent of the English "such a" or "what a". It is used to add strong emphasis. Because Wahnsinn is a masculine noun in the nominative case here, it takes the standard masculine form so ein.
Does Wahnsinn always mean madness in a negative or angry way?
Not at all! While here it expresses outrage at an absurd price, Wahnsinn! is very frequently used in colloquial German as a highly positive exclamation. If you see a beautiful view or hear great news, you can say Wahnsinn! to mean amazing or incredible.
Learn Zehn Euro für einen Tee? So ein Wahnsinn and more in German
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free