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German Phrase

Was kostet's, das nach Kanada zu schicken?

/vas ˈkɔstəs das naːx ˈkaːnaˌdaː tsu ˈʃɪçən/
Meaning"How much does it cost to send that to Canada?"
💡

Meaning

The sentence asks for the price of sending a particular item to Canada. It is a polite, everyday way to inquire about shipping costs.

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When to use

Use this phrase at a post office, a courier desk, or in an online shipping calculator when you need to know how much it will cost to ship something abroad, especially to Canada.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Waskostet's,dasnachKanadazuschicken?

1

Kontraktion

"kostet's" is a colloquial contraction of "kostet es" and is common in spoken German.

2

zu + Infinitiv

After verbs of cost or effort (kosten, dauern, brauchen) the infinitive is introduced with "zu".

3

nach + Land

Use "nach" for countries and continents (nach Kanada), but "zu" for cities (zu Berlin).

4

das als Platzhalter

"das" refers to the item you want to ship; it can be replaced by a specific noun.

🗨In Conversation

A

Was kostet's, das nach Kanada zu schicken?

How much does it cost to send that to Canada?

Das kostet 45 Euro, inklusive Versicherung.

That costs 45 euros, insurance included.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Was kostet's, das zu Kanada zu schicken?

    Use "nach" only with countries; for a city you would say "zu Berlin".

  • Was kostet's, das nach Kanada schicken?

    The infinitive must be introduced with "zu" after "kostet"; omitting it sounds ungrammatical.

  • Was kostet das, das nach Kanada zu schicken?

    In very formal writing you may prefer the full form "kostet es", but the contraction is correct in spoken German.

↔Alternatives

  • Wie viel kostet es, das nach Kanada zu senden?

    How much does it cost to send that to Canada?

  • Was muss ich für den Versand nach Kanada bezahlen?

    What do I have to pay for shipping to Canada?

  • Wie hoch ist der Preis, das nach Kanada zu verschicken?

    What is the price for shipping that to Canada?

de

Cultural Tip

In German, "nach" is used with countries, continents, and cardinal directions, while "zu" is used with cities and specific places. When speaking to a clerk, a polite tone and the contraction "kostet's" make the request sound natural and friendly. In formal written requests you might prefer the full form "Was kostet es...".