Meaning
expresses that something occurs at the expense of another person, group, or thing
Primary Function
Expressing causality with negative connotation
Communicative Purpose
to show that an action or state has negative effects on someone else
Pattern
auf Kosten von
Core Structure
auf Kosten von
Função primária
Expressing causality with negative connotation
Propósito comunicativo
to show that an action or state has negative effects on someone else
Situações de gatilho
cost breakdowns, criticism of resource waste, discussions about disadvantages to third parties
Contextos
economics, everyday communication, political debates
Padrão
auf Kosten von
Estrutura central
auf Kosten von
Slots de substituição
genitive or dative object after 'von' (person, thing, group)
Colocados típicos
- time
- money
- environment
- health
- taxpayers
Substituições comuns
- auf Kosten + Genitiv (formal)
- zu Lasten von (alternative)
Erros comuns
confusion with 'auf Grund von' (wrong causality), incorrect preposition (e.g., *auf Kosten für)
Similar / contraste
zu Lasten von, auf Grund von, dank
Interferências
English speakers often transfer the English preposition 'at' directly and may use the wrong German preposition, producing *auf Kosten für* instead of the correct *auf Kosten von*. They also confuse this phrase with *auf Grund von*, which has a causal meaning rather than a negative one.
Família do chunk
- auf Kosten
- zu Lasten von
- auf Grund von
Nuance
always carries a negative connotation — implies that someone suffers a disadvantage
Efeito pragmático
often sounds critical or accusatory
Dica de memória
at expense
Nota
Der Ausdruck *auf Kosten von* wird sowohl in formellen als auch in neutralen Kontexten verwendet, um auszudrücken, dass etwas zulasten einer Person, Gruppe oder Sache geht. Das nachfolgende Nomen steht im Genitiv (oder seltener im Dativ) und wird durch *von* eingeleitet. Vermeiden Sie die falsche Kombination *auf Kosten für*.
Upgrade path
zu Lasten von
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