Bank and money
Opening an account, transfers, fees, and the reminder letter that follows an unpaid bill.
36 words · Level A2
| German | Translation | Listen |
|---|---|---|
| die BankBanken | bank; bench | |
| das KontoKonten | account | |
| das GirokontoGirokonten | current account | |
| das SparkontoSparkonten | savings account | |
| das GeldGelder | money | |
| das Bargeld | cash | |
| die KarteKarten | ticket | |
| die KreditkarteKreditkarten | credit card | |
| der GeldautomatGeldautomaten | ATM | |
| abheben | to withdraw (money); to take off, to lift off | |
| einzahlen | to deposit | |
| überweisen | to transfer; to refer | |
| die ÜberweisungÜberweisungen | bank transfer; referral | |
| der DauerauftragDaueraufträge | standing order | |
| die LastschriftLastschriften | direct debit | |
| der KontoauszugKontoauszüge | bank statement | |
| die GebührGebühren | fee | |
| der ZinsZinsen | interest | |
| der KreditKredite | loan | |
| schulden | to owe | |
| sparen | to save | |
| die RechnungRechnungen | calculation | |
| die MahnungMahnungen | payment reminder | |
| der BetragBeträge | amount | |
| die KontonummerKontonummern | account number | |
| die VersicherungVersicherungen | insurance | |
| die HaftpflichtversicherungHaftpflichtversicherungen | liability insurance | |
| die SteuerSteuern | tax; steering wheel, rudder, helm | |
| brutto | gross | |
| netto | net | |
| teuer | expensive | |
| günstig | cheap, affordable; favorable, advantageous | |
| kostenlos | free of charge | |
| das WechselgeldWechselgelder | change | |
| das KleingeldKleingelder | change | |
| der VerwendungszweckVerwendungszwecke | intended purpose |
How these words get used
The everyday account is a Girokonto. Bills are paid by Überweisung, and the form has a field called Verwendungszweck: put the invoice or customer number there, or the payment may not be matched to you. A Dauerauftrag is a fixed amount you send on a schedule, typical for rent. A Lastschrift works the other way round: you allow a company to pull the money.
Bargeld still matters. Some bakeries, kiosks and market stalls take cash only, and Bar oder mit Karte? is the standard question at the till.
Verb check: abheben and einzahlen split (Ich hebe Geld ab), überweisen does not (Ich überweise die Miete). die Bank has two plurals: Banken are banks, Bänke are benches. For a good price say günstig. billig can imply poor quality. Ignore a Rechnung and a Mahnung follows, often with a Gebühr on top.
Translations are written with AI and checked as I go. If one looks wrong, reply to any email and tell me.