German Phrase
Die kosten je $1.50.
Meaning
The sentence means “They each cost $1.50.” It is used when you want to state the price of multiple items, indicating the cost per individual item.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are at a shop, market, or restaurant and need to tell someone the unit price of several items, such as fruits, tickets, or menu items.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Diekostenje$1.50.
Demonstrative pronoun (plural)
"Die" is the plural form of the demonstrative pronoun, used for nouns of any gender and translates to "these" or "those" in English.
kosten (3rd person plural)
The verb "kosten" means "to cost" and is conjugated here in the 3rd person plural to match the plural subject "die".
je (per, each)
"je" is an adverb that expresses a unit price, meaning "each" or "per" in English.
price format
When writing prices in German, the decimal separator is a comma (e.g., 1,50 $), but the dollar sign can be placed before the amount as in "$1,50".
🗨In Conversation
Wie viel kosten die Äpfel?
How much do the apples cost?
Die kosten je $1.50.
They cost $1.50 each.
✕Common Mistakes
Die kostet je $1.50.
The verb must agree with the plural subject; use "kosten" not "kostet".
Die kosten $1.50 je.
"je" should come before the price, not after it.
Die kosten je 1,50$.
In German the currency symbol is placed before the amount or the amount is written with a comma; "$1,50" is preferred over "1,50$".
↔Alternatives
Sie kosten jeweils $1,50.
They cost $1.50 each.
Jeder kostet $1,50.
Each one costs $1.50.
Cultural Tip
In German-speaking countries the standard decimal separator is a comma, so the price is usually written as "1,50 $". When speaking, most people will say "ein Dollar fünfzig Cent" rather than reading the symbol. Also, "je" is a very common way to express unit prices, especially in written price lists and menus.