German · Anmeldung / Betreuungsvertrag
You ask how much the place and meals cost: what to say in German
You ask how much the place and meals cost.
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How it's done. Kita fees depend on the city and income (einkommensabhängig); meals (Essensgeld) are often separate. In some states Kitas are free.Prepared by the Movko team, November 2026. This is language help, not legal or medical advice: check the rules with the office itself.
Cheat sheet for your visit
The first phrase is open: tap ▶ to listen, or “Show” to show it to the other person. The rest of the dialogue is in the course in the app.
1
YOU START
Was kostet der Platz?
Vahs KOS-tet dehr plahts?
What does the place cost?
Or say:Wie hoch sind die Gebühren?
Vee khokh zeent dee geh-BYOO-rayn?
THEY SAY
Das hängt von Ihrem Einkommen ab. Wir schicken Ihnen einen Bescheid.Dahs khayngt fohn EE-rem IGHN-koh-mayn ahp. Veer SHEE-kayn EE-nayn IGH-nayn beh-SHIGHT.
That depends on your income. We'll send you a notice.
They might also say:
Die Gebühren sind einkommensabhängig. Das berechnet die Stadt.
Dee geh-BYOO-rayn zeent IGHN-koh-mayn-suhb-khayn-geekh. Dahs beh-REKH-net dee shtaht.
The fees are income-dependent. The city calculates that.
2
YOU REPLY
Und das Mittagessen?
Oont dahs MEE-tuh-keh-sayn?
And lunch?
THEY SAY
Das kommt extra. Das heißt Essensgeld, pro Monat.Dahs komt EKS-truh. Dahs khighst EH-sayns-gelt, proh MOH-nuht.
That is extra. It's called Essensgeld, per month.
3
YOU FINISH
Verstehe, vielen Dank!
Fehrsh-TEH-eh, FEE-layn dahnk!
I see, thank you very much!
The course is in the app
This dialogue is part of the course “German for life in Germany”: 416 situations with audio, a pronunciation guide and spaced review.
On the website the first dialogue, the 112 category, the rescue phrases and the “Basics” are fully open.
Words worth knowing
kostet
KOS-tet
verb
costs
Platz
plahts
noun
place, seat
hängt
khayngt
verb
depends
Einkommen
IGHN-koh-mayn
noun
income
schicken
SHEE-kayn
verb
to send
Bescheid
beh-SHIGHT
noun
official notice, decision
20 more words, with explanations, base forms and tap-a-word help, are in the app.
If you did not understand
Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
KYOH-nayn zee dahs BEE-teh vee-dehr-KHOH-layn?
Can you repeat that, please?
Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?
KYOH-nayn zee BEE-teh LAHNG-zuh-muh SHPREH-khayn?
Can you speak more slowly, please?
Was bedeutet das?
Vahs beh-DOY-tet dahs?
What does this mean?
Similar situations
You apply for a voucher for a Kita placeAnmeldung / Betreuungsvertrag · A2 in the app
→You go to the Kita's open dayAnmeldung / Betreuungsvertrag · A2 in the app
→Before admission to the Kita they talk to you about your childAnmeldung / Betreuungsvertrag · A2 in the app
→You look for a nursery place for your childAnmeldung / Betreuungsvertrag · A2 in the app
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