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Schulden
/ˈʃʊldn̩/
debts
Ich habe viele Schulden bei der Bank.
I have a lot of debts to the bank.
formal
Money that is owed or must be paid to someone else.
Er hat seine Schulden nicht zurückgezahlt.
He didn’t pay back his debts.
Die Firma hat hohe Schulden angehäuft.
The company has accumulated high debts.
Used in financial contexts to refer to obligations to repay borrowed money.
literary
A feeling of owing gratitude for a favor or kindness received.
Ich stehe in deiner Schuld.
I am in your debt.
More poetic or archaic usage, often in expressions like 'in jemandes Schuld stehen' (to be indebted to someone).
Collocations
Schulden machento incur debtsSchulden abbezahlento pay off debtsSchulden tilgento settle debtshohe Schuldenhigh debtsSchulden begleichento clear debts
Pro Tip
Plural vs. Singular
Remember that 'Schulden' is always plural in German. The singular 'Schuld' means 'guilt' or 'fault,' not a single debt. For example, 'eine Schuld begleichen' means 'to settle a guilt/fault,' while 'Schulden begleichen' means 'to settle debts.'
Gold Rule
Financial Context
Use 'Schulden' when referring to money owed to someone else (e.g., bank loans, credit card debt). Avoid using it for other types of obligations unless in a poetic or archaic context.
Word Origin
From Middle High German *schult*, from Old High German *sculd* ('guilt, fault, debt'), related to Old English *scyld* ('debt, guilt'), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *skuldi- ('debt, guilt'). The shift from 'guilt' to 'debt' reflects the historical connection between moral and financial obligations in many cultures.
Usage Notes
Schulden is always plural in German. The singular form 'Schuld' refers to 'guilt' or 'fault' (e.g., 'Das ist meine Schuld' = 'That's my fault'). In financial contexts, 'Schulden' is used exclusively for monetary obligations.
Word Breakdown
Schuld
debt, guilt
root-en
plural suffix
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