Which to use
“könne” and “koste” are a confusable German pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.
- #1,423
- “könne” frequency rank
- #22,800
- “koste” frequency rank
- 24223
- confusion score
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | könne | koste |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | 1. Person Singular Konjunktiv I Präsens Aktiv des Verbs können | 1. Person Singular Indikativ Präteritum Aktiv des Verbs kosen |
Where the spellings diverge
Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set könne and koste apart are highlighted. They share 2 letters in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.
Spelling & Dictionary Insight
A purely visual mix-up. könne ([ˈkœnə]) and koste ([ˈkoːstə]) are said differently, so reading them aloud is the quickest way to catch the wrong one. On the page they stay close: they share most of their letters but differ in 3 positions. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 24223, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.
könne is recorded at frequency rank #1,423, classified as averb, pronounced [ˈkœnə]. koste is at rank #22,800, tagged as averb, pronounced [ˈkoːstə].
Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.
With a confusion score of 24223, this pair ranks #1,850,698 of 2,006,359 scored German confusable pairs - a relatively easy-to-tell-apart pair.
Orthographic DNA of könne vs koste
Shared letters: ek. Private to "könne": nö. Private to "koste": ost.
"könne" · 5 letters · shape CVCCV · "koste" · 5 letters · shape CVCCV
Known mistypes of this pair
- koste ← kkoste · koset · kosste · kotse · ksote · okste
Frequency comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Can "könne" and "koste" be used interchangeably?
Which is more common, "könne" or "koste"?
Remembering könne vs koste
The fastest way to pick the right one every time.
- Read both glosses above and match the meaning you intend, only context separates this pair.
- See each word in full, definition, IPA, etymology and its other confusables. Full “könne” entry
- Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable