📕 Lesson 18: Alles über Geld — All About Money
Money doesn't buy happiness, but it is important in life! Learn how to talk about money, banks, and express assumptions in German.
🎬 Lesson Video
1. 🗣️ Geld und Finanzen — Money and Finances
| Deutsch | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| das Geld | [daːs ɡɛlt] | money |
| das Bargeld | [daːs ˈbaːɐɡɛlt] | cash |
| das Konto | [daːs ˈkɔnto] | account |
| das Girokonto | [daːs ˈʒiːʁoˌkɔnto] | current account |
| das Sparkonto | [daːs ˈʃpaːɐˌkɔnto] | savings account |
| die Überweisung | [diː yːbɐˈvaɪzʊŋ] | bank transfer |
| die Kreditkarte | [diː kʁeˈdiːtˌkaʁtə] | credit card |
| die EC-Karte | [diː eːˈtseːˌkaʁtə] | debit card |
| der Geldautomat | [deːɐ ˈɡɛltʔaʊtoˌmaːt] | ATM |
| die Bank | [diː baŋk] | bank |
| die Sparkasse | [diː ˈʃpaːɐˌkasə] | savings bank |
| der Kredit | [deːɐ kʁeˈdiːt] | loan |
| die Versicherung | [diː fɛɐˈzɪçəʁʊŋ] | insurance |
| die Miete | [diː ˈmiːtə] | rent |
| die Rechnung | [diː ˈʁɛçnʊŋ] | bill / invoice |
| sparen | [ˈʃpaːʁən] | to save (money) |
| ausgeben | [ˈaʊsɡeːbən] | to spend |
| verdienen | [fɛɐˈdiːnən] | to earn |
💡 Tip: In Germany, many people prefer paying with EC-Karte (debit card) rather than credit card. Cash is still widely used too.
2. 📖 Vocabulary: Bank and Banking
| Deutsch | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| das Konto eröffnen | [daːs ˈkɔnto ɛɐˈʔœfnən] | to open an account |
| Geld abheben | [ɡɛlt ˈapheːbən] | to withdraw money |
| Geld einzahlen | [ɡɛlt ˈaɪntsaːlən] | to deposit money |
| überweisen | [yːbɐˈvaɪzən] | to transfer (money) |
| der Kontoauszug | [deːɐ ˈkɔntoˌʔaʊst͡suːk] | bank statement |
| die PIN | [diː pɪn] | PIN number |
| der Zins / die Zinsen | [deːɐ tsɪns] / [diː ˈtsɪnzən] | interest / interest rates |
| der Wechselkurs | [deːɐ ˈvɛksl̩ˌkʊʁs] | exchange rate |
| die Währung | [diː ˈvɛːʁʊŋ] | currency |
| der Euro | [deːɐ ˈɔʏʁo] | the euro |
| bargeldlos bezahlen | [ˈbaːɐɡɛltloːs bəˈtsaːlən] | to pay cashless |
| das Trinkgeld | [daːs ˈtʁɪŋkɡɛlt] | tip (gratuity) |
| die Quittung | [diː ˈkvɪtʊŋ] | receipt |
| der Betrag | [deːɐ bəˈtʁaːk] | the amount |
💡 Tip: Trinkgeld (tip) in Germany is not mandatory but appreciated. Usually 5-10% of the bill in restaurants.
3. 📝 Grammar: Expressing Assumptions
With "werden" (more certain)
| Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Das wird schon klappen. | It will probably work out. |
| Er wird wohl krank sein. | He's probably sick. |
| Sie wird etwa 200 Euro kosten. | It will likely cost about 200 euros. |
| Das wird der neue Chef sein. | That must be the new boss. |
With "könnte" (Konjunktiv II — less certain)
| Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Das könnte teuer werden. | That could be expensive. |
| Er könnte Recht haben. | He could be right. |
| Sie könnte schon zu Hause sein. | She could already be home. |
| Das könnte ein Problem sein. | That could be a problem. |
Comparison: werden vs. könnte
| werden (more probable) | könnte (less probable) |
|---|---|
| Das wird teuer. → Very likely | Das könnte teuer sein. → Possible |
| Er wird krank sein. → Almost sure | Er könnte krank sein. → Just a guess |
| Sie wird kommen. → Expected | Sie könnte kommen. → Uncertain |
⚠️ Note: "werden" in this context is not about the future tense, but about expressing a strong assumption. "könnte" expresses a weaker possibility.
More Expressions for Assumptions
| Deutsch | English |
|---|---|
| Wahrscheinlich ist er krank. | He is probably sick. |
| Vielleicht kommt sie später. | Maybe she'll come later. |
| Bestimmt ist das richtig. | Surely that's right. |
| Vermutlich hat er kein Geld. | Presumably he has no money. |
| Ich glaube, das stimmt. | I believe that's correct. |
| Ich denke, er kommt morgen. | I think he'll come tomorrow. |
4. 💬 Dialogue: At the Bank
Bank Clerk: Good morning! What can I do for you?
Customer: Good morning! I'd like to open an account.
Bank Clerk: Sure. Would you like a current account or a savings account?
Customer: A current account, please. What do I need for that?
Bank Clerk: You need your ID card and a registration certificate (proof of address).
Customer: I have those with me. How long does it take to open?
Bank Clerk: It will probably take about 30 minutes.
Customer: Good. Can I also get a credit card?
Bank Clerk: Yes, of course. But that could cost additional fees.
Customer: That's no problem.
Bank Clerk: Then please fill out this form.
5. ✏️ Exercises
Exercise 1: Assumptions — Use "wird" or "könnte"
| Situation | Sentence |
|---|---|
| The course costs 300 euros. (assumption) | Das _ teuer ___. |
| The boss is not here. (strong guess) | Er _ krank ___. |
| The package arrives tomorrow. (slight possibility) | Es _____ morgen kommen. |
| The sweater fits. (assumption) | Die Größe _____ passen. |
| She has no money. (strong guess) | Sie _ kein Geld ___. |
Exercise 2: Vocabulary — Money
Complete the sentences!
- I need to withdraw money from the _____ (ATM).
- The _____ (bill) comes at the end of the month.
- I _____ (save) 100 euros every month.
- He has an _____ (account) at the savings bank.
- Can I pay by _____ (debit card)?
- The _____ (rent) for the apartment is 800 euros.
- The _____ (exchange rate) is very good right now.
Exercise 3: Dialogue at the Restaurant
Fill in the dialogue! (Rechnung, Trinkgeld, bezahlen, Karte, Betrag)
Guest: Waiter, the _____ please!
Waiter: Here is the bill. The _____ is 45.80 euros.
Guest: Can I pay by _____?
Waiter: Yes, of course.
Guest: (pays) Keep the change. The _____ is for you.
Waiter: Thank you very much! That's very kind.
6. 🧩 Verbs with Dativ and Akkusativ — Two Objects: Person & Thing
Some German verbs take two objects at once: the person receiving something stands in the Dativ, while the thing itself stands in the Akkusativ. These verbs appear constantly in banking and money contexts.
| Question about the person | Question about the thing |
|---|---|
| Wem? — to whom? → Dativ | Was? — what? → Akkusativ |
Typical Verbs in a Money Context
| Verb | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| erklären | Die Bankangestellte erklärt dem Kunden die Gebühren. | The bank clerk explains the fees to the customer. |
| geben | Der Mitarbeiter gibt Ihnen Ihre neue EC-Karte. | The employee gives you your new debit card. |
| schicken | Ich schicke dir morgen das Geld. | I'll send you the money tomorrow. |
| empfehlen | Meine Schwester empfiehlt mir diese Sparkasse. | My sister recommends this savings bank to me. |
| leihen | Kannst du mir 50 Euro leihen? | Can you lend me 50 euros? |
| zeigen | Er zeigt seiner Frau den Kontoauszug. | He shows his wife the account statement. |
With Pronouns
If the thing is a short pronoun (es / ihn / sie ...), it is placed before the person:
| Deutsch | English |
|---|---|
| Ich gebe es dir morgen. | I'll give it to you tomorrow. |
| Kannst du sie mir erklären? | Can you explain it to me? |
⚠️ Note: When in doubt, ask yourself: to whom? (Wem?) → Dativ for the person, and what? (Was?) → Akkusativ for the thing.
🔗 Full explanation on the grammar page: Verbs taking both Akkusativ and Dativ
Übungen / Additional Interactive Exercises
Exercise 4: Verbs with Two Objects — Choose the Correct Form 🎯
Choose the correct form: remember Wem? (to whom?) → Dativ for the person, Was? (what?) → Akkusativ for the thing:
| # | Sentence | a) | b) | c) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kannst du ______ 50 Euro leihen? | mir | ich | mich |
| 2 | Die Bankangestellte erklärt ______ die Gebühren. | den Kunden | dem Kunden | der Kunde |
| 3 | Er zeigt ______ den Kontoauszug. | seine Frau | sie | seiner Frau |
| 4 | Meine Schwester empfiehlt ______ diese Sparkasse. | ich | mir | mich |
| 5 | Das Geld? Ich gebe ______ morgen. | es dir | dir es | es dich |
✅ Solution:
| Sentence | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | a) Kannst du mir 50 Euro leihen? (the person → Dativ) |
| 2 | b) Die Bankangestellte erklärt dem Kunden die Gebühren. (der Kunde → Dativ) |
| 3 | c) Er zeigt seiner Frau den Kontoauszug. (die Frau → Dativ) |
| 4 | b) Meine Schwester empfiehlt mir diese Sparkasse. (the person → Dativ) |
| 5 | a) Ich gebe es dir morgen. (the short pronoun for the thing comes before the person!) |
Exercise 5: Fill in the Bank and Money Vocabulary 🖊️
Complete the sentences with the correct word from the lesson:
| # | Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Für das Online-Banking brauche ich mein Passwort und die ______. | __ |
| 2 | Am Monatsende schaue ich mir den ______ an. | __ |
| 3 | Ich möchte 200 Euro auf mein Sparkonto ______. | __ |
| 4 | In Japan ist der Yen die ______. | __ |
| 5 | Nach dem Kauf bekomme ich eine ______ als Beweis. | __ |
✅ Solution:
| Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | PIN (secret number) |
| 2 | Kontoauszug (bank statement) |
| 3 | einzahlen (to deposit) |
| 4 | Währung (currency) |
| 5 | Quittung (receipt) |
Exercise 6: Match the Money Verb to Its Meaning 🔗
Match each money verb to its correct meaning:
| Deutsch | Meaning | Match |
|---|---|---|
| 1. sparen | a. to spend | |
| 2. ausgeben | b. to earn (money) | |
| 3. verdienen | c. to transfer (money) | |
| 4. überweisen | d. to save | |
| 5. abheben | e. to withdraw money |
✅ Solution:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | d (to save) |
| 2 | a (to spend) |
| 3 | b (to earn money) |
| 4 | c (to transfer money) |
| 5 | e (to withdraw money) |
📚 Related Grammar
💡 Homework: Write 5 sentences expressing assumptions (Vermutungen) about the prices of different things using "wird" and "könnte".