German Phrase
Was kostet 'ne Kaution?
Meaning
Literally: “What does a deposit cost?” It is used when you want to know the amount of money you have to pay as a security deposit, for example when renting an apartment or borrowing equipment.
When to use
Use this informal question when you’re speaking with a landlord, a roommate, or a friend about the price of a security deposit. It’s best suited for casual conversation; in formal contexts you would say “Wie hoch ist die Kaution?”
✦Grammar Breakdown
Waskostet'neKaution?
Was (question word)
Used to ask about something unknown; here it asks for the price.
kostet (verb kosten)
Third‑person singular present of 'kosten' – ‘to cost’. It agrees with the subject ‘Kaution’.
'ne (colloquial contraction)
Short for 'eine' (feminine indefinite article). Common in spoken German, especially in informal settings.
Kaution (noun, feminine)
Means ‘deposit’ (e.g., rental security deposit). Takes the article ‘die’ in the nominative.
Word order in yes‑no questions
Verb‑first order: the verb ‘kostet’ comes directly after the question word.
🗨In Conversation
Was kostet 'ne Kaution?
What does a deposit cost?
Die Kaution beträgt 800 Euro.
The deposit is 800 euros.
✕Common Mistakes
Was kostet die Kaution?
Using the definite article sounds overly formal and changes the nuance; the informal version expects the indefinite article.
Was kostet eine Kaution?
Grammatically correct but loses the colloquial flavor of ’ne; learners often forget the contraction.
Was kosten 'ne Kaution?
The verb should stay ‘kostet’; some learners mistakenly use ‘kosten’ (infinitive) after the question word.
↔Alternatives
Wie hoch ist die Kaution?
How high is the deposit?
Wie viel muss ich für die Kaution zahlen?
How much do I have to pay for the deposit?
Was verlangt man für die Kaution?
What is asked for the deposit?
Cultural Tip
In Germany, a rental deposit (Kaution) is usually limited to three months’ cold rent (Kaltmiete). Asking about the amount is normal, but keep the tone polite. The colloquial contraction ’ne is fine with friends or younger landlords, but in written or formal emails use the full ‘eine’. Also, landlords must return the deposit after the tenancy ends, minus any legitimate deductions.