zahlen vs entrichten
German word comparison
Listen to zahlen
Listen to entrichten
| zahlen | entrichten |
|---|---|
ZA-len verb | [ɛnˈʁɪçtən] verb |
| to pay (money); to settle a bill or cost | to pay or remit (official fees, taxes, fines); to render payment of an obligatory charge |
How they differ
Entrichten is used for formal, obligatory payments (taxes, fees, charges) and has a legal/administrative tone; it is not used for casual purchases. Zahlen is neutral and fits everyday transactions as well as informal payments.
When to use each
When to use zahlen: Prefer zahlen for everyday payments like shopping, services, or informal contexts.
When to use entrichten: Prefer entrichten when referring to formal or legally required payments (e.g. taxes, official fees) in administrative or legal contexts.
Side-by-side examples
- Er muss die Gebühr bis Ende des Monats zahlen.
(He has to pay the fee by the end of the month.) - Er muss die Gebühr bis Ende des Monats entrichten.
(He must remit the fee by the end of the month.)
Register & nuance: Formal and administrative; commonly found in official notices, legal or bureaucratic language rather than everyday speech.