die Wucherpreise
Translation
exorbitant prices, extortionate prices, usurious prices, price gouging
Examples
Er verlangt Wucherpreise für das Wasser.
He's charging exorbitant prices for the water.
Die Touristen beschweren sich über Wucherpreise.
The tourists are complaining about exorbitant prices.
Grammar Patterns
Wucherpreise ((for sth.)) exorbitant prices for sth. Are you charging exorbitant prices for petrol?
Similar Words
Synonyms: exorbitante Preise, überhöhte Preise; Antonyms: günstige Preise (favourable prices), Schleuderpreise (giveaway prices)
Etymology
Composed of 'Wucher' (usury, profiteering) and 'Preise' (prices). 'Wucher' is related to the verb 'wuchern', meaning 'to proliferate' or 'to practice usury'.
Memory Tips
Think of prices that 'proliferate' or grow uncontrollably like weeds ('wuchern'), leading to exorbitant costs.