noun
costs, expenses
B1
Kosten: means 'costs' or 'expenses'. It's a pluralia tantum (plural-only) noun — die Kosten — with no singular. Use plural forms and plural verbs (die Kosten sind...). Plural form 'Kosten'; genitive plural 'der Kosten', dative plural 'den Kosten'. Common in budgets and invoices.
Examples
Die Kosten für das Konzert sind höher als erwartet.
The costs for the concert are higher than expected.
Reiseversicherung deckt oft unerwartete Kosten bei Stornierungen.
Travel insurance often covers unexpected expenses when you cancel.
Die Firma senkte die Produktion, weil die Kosten zu hoch waren.
The company reduced production because the costs were too high.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a receipt with many line items labeled 'Kosten' in bold
sounds like 'coast' + 'ten' — imagine ten coins by the coast representing costs
Think 'die Kosten' — use 'die' as the plural article like 'the costs' in English
Notes
Plural-only noun in German; used to talk about prices, fees, or expenses. There is no common singular form when referring to 'costs' generally. | Plural-only noun; singular forms are not applicable.