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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/de-macht-euro

A waiter says 'Das macht zwanzig Euro.' What does he mean?

Das macht zwanzig Euro means the total is 20 euros.

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  1. That comes to twenty euros. ✔
  2. That is a twenty-euro discount.
  3. Your tip should be twenty euros.

Why: When adding up a bill, macht means 'comes to', just like zwei plus zwei macht vier. The waiter is telling you the total is twenty euros.

Huh, didn't know that: Duden lists 'die Rechnung beläuft sich auf, beträgt, macht 20 Euro' as typical phrasing for a bill total.

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Why was the equal sign so humble? Because it wasn't greater than or less than anyone else.
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References

Answer: That comes to twenty euros.. When adding up a bill, macht means 'comes to', just like zwei plus zwei macht vier. The waiter is telling you the total is twenty euros.

  1. Duden: Rechnung www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Rechnung
    die Rechnung beläuft sich auf, beträgt, macht 20 Euro
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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