German Phrase
Und wie sieht's mit der Kaution aus?
Meaning
This phrase is a common, informal way to inquire about the security deposit (Kaution) when discussing rental agreements, especially for apartments or cars. It literally translates to "And how does it look with the deposit?", implying a question about the terms or amount.
When to use
You would typically use this phrase when discussing a rental agreement, such as for an apartment, a car, or even certain equipment, after the main terms have been discussed. It's a polite but direct way to bring up the topic of the deposit.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Undwiesieht'smitderKautionaus?
Und
This is a common conjunction meaning "and." Here, it connects the question about the deposit to the previous discussion about the rent.
wie sieht's aus mit...
This is an idiomatic expression, a contraction of "wie sieht es aus mit...", meaning "how about..." or "what about...". It's a very natural and common way to inquire about something.
Kaution
This feminine noun means "deposit" or "security deposit." It's in the dative case here because it follows the preposition "mit" (with), hence "der Kaution" instead of "die Kaution."
aussehen (aus)
This is a separable verb meaning "to look" or "to appear." In the idiomatic phrase "wie sieht's aus mit...", the prefix "aus" is separated and placed at the end of the clause.
🗨In Conversation
Die Wohnung kostet 800 Euro kalt im Monat.
The apartment costs 800 euros net per month.
Und wie sieht's mit der Kaution aus?
And how about the deposit?
✕Common Mistakes
Und wie ist die Kaution?
While grammatically correct, "wie sieht's aus mit..." is a more idiomatic and polite way to inquire about something, rather than a direct question about its state.
Und was ist die Kaution?
This asks for the definition of a deposit, not its conditions or amount, which is usually implied when asking about a 'Kaution' in a rental context.
↔Alternatives
Wie hoch ist die Kaution?
How high is the deposit?
Gibt es eine Kaution?
Is there a deposit?
Muss ich eine Kaution hinterlegen?
Do I have to pay a deposit?
Cultural Tip
In Germany, a "Kaution" (security deposit) for rental properties is legally capped at three months' cold rent (net rent without utilities). It's a standard and expected part of any rental agreement. Landlords are required to keep the deposit separate from their assets, often in a special interest-bearing account. It's crucial to clarify the deposit terms before signing a contract.