die Pleite
Translation
bankruptcy, insolvency, failure, bust
Examples
Die Firma hat Pleite gemacht.
The company went bankrupt.
Nach dem Jobverlust war er pleite.
After losing his job, he was broke.
Viele kleine Läden gehen pleite.
Many small shops are going bankrupt.
Grammar Patterns
Pleite machen/gehen to go bankrupt The company went bankrupt.
pleite sein to be broke I'm completely broke.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Bankrott, Insolvenz; Antonyms: Erfolg (success), Reichtum (wealth)
Etymology
From Yiddish 'plejte' (flight, escape), referring to fleeing from creditors.
Memory Tips
Commonly used in the phrases 'pleite sein' (to be broke) and 'Pleite machen/gehen' (to go bankrupt). Imagine your 'plate' is empty, so you are 'pleite'.