Unterwegs auf dem Flohmarkt und wieder pleite

What does “pleite” mean in German?

Walking through a flea market, the speaker admits “ich bin pleite” — I’m broke. It’s the casual, everyday way to say your money is gone, nothing formal about it. He’s already borrowed three euros to grab something he wanted, and he has no regrets. So “pleite” here isn’t a complaint. It carries a light, self-aware tone: I spent it all, it was worth it, and honestly I’d do it again.

He says: “ich bin pleite und hab mir schon drei Euro geliehen müssen für was ganz Tolles” — “I’m broke and already had to borrow three euros for something really great.” “Pleite” is a relaxed, everyday word for having no money: • “Ich bin total pleite bis zum Monatsende.” — I’m totally broke until the end of the month. • “Nach dem Urlaub waren wir alle pleite.” — After the holiday we were all broke. It can also describe a plan or a business that has failed: “Die Firma ist pleite” means the company has closed down. With a person, though, it usually just means their wallet is empty for now — often said lightly, the way it is here at the flea market.