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Questions & Answers about Der Preis ist hoch.
Why is the article der used here instead of die or das?
Because Preis is a masculine noun in German, so in the nominative singular it takes the definite article der.
What case is der Preis in and how do I identify it?
It’s in the nominative case, since it functions as the subject of the sentence. In German, subjects are always nominative.
Why doesn’t hoch take an adjective ending like hohe?
When an adjective follows a linking verb such as sein (to be) and describes the subject, it’s called a predicate adjective and remains uninflected. Only attributive adjectives (e.g., ein hoher Preis) receive endings.
Can I say Der Preis ist teuer instead of hoch?
Yes. Teuer also means expensive. Both sentences are grammatically correct. Hoch highlights a high numeric value, while teuer emphasizes costliness.
How do I turn this statement into a question?
Use verb–subject inversion:
Ist der Preis hoch?
How do I ask How high is the price in German?
Begin with wie hoch (“how high”), then the verb and subject:
Wie hoch ist der Preis?
How do I say The prices are high (plural)?
Change to plural:
Die Preise sind hoch.
Note Preise is the plural of Preis, die is the plural article, and sind is the plural form of ist.
How can I emphasize that the price is really high?
Insert an intensifier such as:
- sehr (very): Der Preis ist sehr hoch.
- extrem (extremely): Der Preis ist extrem hoch.
- unglaublich (incredibly): Der Preis ist unglaublich hoch.
How do I say The price is too high?
Add zu (too) before hoch:
Der Preis ist zu hoch.
Can I drop the article and say Preis ist hoch?
No. Standard German normally requires a definite or indefinite article with singular, countable nouns (except in headlines or notes). You need der Preis or ein Preis.
How do I pronounce Der Preis ist hoch?
In IPA: [deːɐ̯ pʁaɪs ɪst hoːx]
- The r in der is vocalized ([ɐ̯]).
- The s in Preis is a voiceless [s].
- The ch in hoch is the velar fricative .