German Phrase
Was kostet der Eintritt?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the price of admission to an event, museum, concert, or any place that requires a ticket. It is a polite, neutral way to inquire about the cost before deciding to go.
When to use
Use this question when you arrive at a venue, look at a brochure, or speak with staff about tickets. It works in both formal and informal settings, such as museums, theaters, amusement parks, or public transport stations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WaskostetderEintritt?
Was (question word)
Used to ask 'what' or 'how much' in a question; it triggers inversion of subject and verb.
kosten (verb)
Means 'to cost'. In the present tense, third‑person singular is 'kostet'.
der Eintritt (noun phrase)
Masculine noun in nominative case; 'Eintritt' means 'admission' or 'entry fee'.
Verb‑Subject Inversion
In German yes‑no and wh‑questions, the finite verb moves to the first position, before the subject.
🗨In Conversation
Was kostet der Eintritt?
How much does the admission cost?
Der Eintritt kostet 12 Euro, ermäßigt 8 Euro für Studenten.
The admission is 12 euros, reduced to 8 euros for students.
✕Common Mistakes
Was kostet das Eintritt?
‘Eintritt’ is masculine, so the correct article is ‘der’, not ‘das’.
Wie kostet der Eintritt?
‘Wie’ asks ‘how’ (in what way), not ‘how much’. Use ‘Wie viel’ or ‘Was kostet…’ for price.
Eintritt kostet was?
Word order is incorrect for a question; the verb must be in second position.
↔Alternatives
Wie viel kostet der Eintritt?
How much does the admission cost?
Wie hoch ist der Eintrittspreis?
What is the admission price?
Was ist der Preis für den Eintritt?
What is the price for entry?
Cultural Tip
In Germany many cultural institutions offer reduced tickets for students, seniors, and families. It’s common to ask for a "Ermäßigung" (discount) after you learn the standard price. Also, note that "Eintritt" can refer to a one‑time ticket or a recurring fee, so clarify if you need a day‑pass or a season ticket.