zinsen

to pay interest; to bear interest

verb TSIN-zen Rare

Usage Note

zinsen is a somewhat formal verb meaning that a sum earns or pays interest. It appears in financial contracts (das Kapital zinst mit drei Prozent) and is less common than the noun Zinsen; learners encounter it mainly in written finance language.

Examples

"Das angelegte Kapital zinst mit einem Satz von zwei Prozent pro Jahr."

Natural Translation

The invested capital bears interest at a rate of two percent per year.

Literal Translation

The invested capital interests with a rate of two percent per year.

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