noun

die Schulden, pl.

debt

Geld, das man von anderen bekommen hat und später zurückgeben muss.

Definition & meaning

Schulden means debts: money or other obligations that a person, company, or institution owes to someone else. It can also refer more broadly to outstanding financial liabilities.

The word is usually used in the plural. Its singular form, Schuld , can mean a debt, but it also commonly means guilt or responsibility for a fault.

Grammar & Word origin

Schulden is a feminine plural noun: die Schulden. It is the plural of die Schuld . The plural ending is -en.

It comes from the older Germanic root behind schuldig , meaning “owing” or “being under an obligation.”

Synonyms & antonyms

Verbindlichkeiten means “liabilities” or “obligations.” It is more formal and often used in financial or legal contexts; Schulden is the more everyday term.
Außenstände refers specifically to payments that are owed to a business or person, often unpaid invoices. It does not cover every kind of debt.
There is no exact antonym. Vermögen means “assets” or “wealth,” while Guthaben means a credit or positive balance. schuldenfrei means “free of debt.”