German Phrase
Was kostet's, wenn man zu spät zahlt?
Meaning
This phrase is used to inquire about the penalty or additional charges incurred for making a payment after the due date. It directly asks about the financial consequences of late payment. The 's in 'kostet's' is a colloquial shortening of 'es', meaning 'it'.
When to use
You would typically use this phrase when you are concerned about missing a payment deadline for a bill, rent, or a service. It's a practical question to ask a service provider, landlord, or a company's customer service if you anticipate a delay in payment and want to understand the repercussions.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Waskostet'swennmanzu spätzahlt?
Was
'Was' is an interrogative pronoun meaning 'what'. It's used to ask for information about something.
kostet's
This is a contraction of 'kostet es'. 'Kosten' means 'to cost', and 'es' refers to 'it'. This informal contraction is very common in spoken German.
wenn
'Wenn' is a subordinating conjunction meaning 'if' or 'when'. It introduces a subordinate clause that describes a condition or a time.
man
'Man' is an indefinite pronoun meaning 'one' or 'you' (in a general sense). It's used when the subject is not specific or when referring to people in general.
zu spät
'Zu spät' is an adverbial phrase meaning 'too late'. 'Zu' means 'too' and 'spät' means 'late'.
zahlt
'Zahlt' is the third-person singular conjugation of the verb 'zahlen' (to pay). In a 'wenn' clause, the conjugated verb typically moves to the end of the clause.
🗨In Conversation
Entschuldigen Sie, ich habe meine Rechnung noch nicht bezahlt. Was kostet's, wenn man zu spät zahlt?
Excuse me, I haven't paid my bill yet. What does it cost if one pays too late?
Nach dem Fälligkeitsdatum fällt eine Mahngebühr von 5 Euro an.
After the due date, a reminder fee of 5 Euros will be charged.
✕Common Mistakes
Wie viel kostet es, wenn man zu spät bezahlt?
While 'bezahlen' (to pay) is correct, 'zahlen' is more commonly used in the context of making a payment or paying a bill, especially when referring to the act of paying money. 'Bezahlen' often implies paying for something specific, like an item.
Was kostet es, wenn ich zu spät zahle?
Using 'man' (one/you, in a general sense) is more common and polite when asking about general policies, rather than making it personal with 'ich' (I). It makes the question less accusatory or self-incriminating.
↔Alternatives
Gibt es eine Gebühr für verspätete Zahlungen?
Is there a fee for late payments?
Welche Strafen gibt es bei Zahlungsverzug?
What penalties are there for payment default?
Cultural Tip
In German-speaking countries, punctuality and adherence to deadlines, especially for payments, are highly valued. Late payments can often incur significant fees (Mahngebühren or Verzugszinsen) and can negatively impact one's credit score (Schufa in Germany). It's always advisable to communicate proactively with the creditor if you foresee a delay, as they might offer solutions or extensions.