adverb
for free, free of charge, gratis
B1
gratis means 'for free', 'free of charge', or 'gratis'. It's a modal adverb used to indicate something is provided without payment (Das ist gratis). It does not decline like adjectives. Often interchangeable with kostenlos; stylistically neutral to informal and commonly placed after the verb or before the noun phrase.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Die Firma verschenkte die Muster gratis, weil die Veranstaltung abgesagt wurde.
The company gave away the samples for free because the event was cancelled.
Das Konzert war kostenlos, viele Leute sagten einfach 'gratis'.
The concert was free, many people just called it 'gratis'.
Die Lieferung war gratis — es gab keine zusätzlichen Kosten.
The delivery was free of charge — there were no extra costs.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
picture a bright sticker on a product reading '0€ - GRATIS' so you immediately think free
sounds like the English word 'gratis' often used in ads
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Common in advertisements and informal contexts; synonymous with 'kostenlos'.