eine Rechnung bezahlen
To pay a bill
Literalmente: a bill pay
Use this phrase whenever you need to settle a formal or informal debt for services rendered.
En 15 segundos
- Used for settling invoices, restaurant bills, or utility costs.
- Standard, neutral phrase suitable for both formal and casual settings.
- Often involves bank transfers or paying the waiter directly.
Significado
This phrase is used when you are settling a debt or paying for a service you received, like at a restaurant or for a utility bill.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6At a restaurant with a waiter
Ich möchte bitte die Rechnung bezahlen.
I would like to pay the bill, please.
Talking to a roommate about utilities
Hast du die Stromrechnung schon bezahlt?
Have you already paid the electricity bill?
Texting a friend after a shared meal
Bezahlst du die Rechnung? Ich überweise dir das Geld.
Are you paying the bill? I'll transfer the money to you.
Contexto cultural
Germany has a strong 'invoice culture' where paying after receiving a service is standard. This relies on a high-trust society and a preference for bank transfers over credit cards. The phrase also reflects the German value of 'Ordnung' (order), where settling debts promptly is a sign of a reliable citizen.
The 'Getrennt' Trick
In Germany, waiters will ask 'Zusammen oder getrennt?' (Together or separate?). If you want to pay only for your part, say 'Getrennt, bitte.' It is totally normal!
Watch the Deadlines
German invoices usually have a 'Zahlungsfrist' (payment deadline). If you miss it, you'll get a 'Mahnung'. Always check the date to avoid extra fees.
En 15 segundos
- Used for settling invoices, restaurant bills, or utility costs.
- Standard, neutral phrase suitable for both formal and casual settings.
- Often involves bank transfers or paying the waiter directly.
What It Means
At its heart, eine Rechnung bezahlen is about settling your debts. It means you have received a service or a product. Now, it is time to send the money over. It is the ultimate 'adulting' phrase in Germany. You are not just buying something. You are fulfilling an obligation. It covers everything from your monthly internet to a fancy steak dinner.
How To Use It
You will mostly use the verb bezahlen at the end of a sentence. If you are using a modal verb like müssen (must), it stays at the end. For example, Ich muss die Rechnung bezahlen. If you are just stating the action, you say Ich bezahle die Rechnung. The word Rechnung is feminine. This means it stays die Rechnung in the accusative case. It is a very sturdy, reliable phrase. You can't really get the grammar wrong if you remember die.
When To Use It
Use this phrase in any professional or commercial setting. It is the standard way to ask for the bill at a restaurant. Just catch the waiter's eye and say it. Use it when talking about your monthly expenses. If your roommate asks about the electricity, this is your go-to line. It also works for online shopping. Many German shops let you pay after delivery. You receive the goods, then you bezahlen die Rechnung via bank transfer.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for tiny, immediate cash purchases. If you buy a single banana at a kiosk, don't say it. It sounds way too formal. Just say Ich zahle bar (I am paying cash). Also, if you are treating a friend, don't use this phrase. It sounds a bit cold and transactional. Instead, say Ich lade dich ein (I invite you). This sounds much warmer and friendlier. Avoid using it for taxes too. For that, Germans usually say Steuern zahlen.
Cultural Background
Germany is the land of the Rechnung. While other countries love credit cards, Germans love invoices. You will receive many paper envelopes in your mailbox. Most will be a Rechnung. Paying by bank transfer (Überweisung) is a national pastime. Germans are also very punctual with payments. If you miss a deadline, you get a Mahnung (reminder). These often come with extra fees. It is a system built on trust and very organized paperwork.
Common Variations
You might hear die Rechnung begleichen. This is a bit more formal. It is like saying 'to settle the account'. If you are at a restaurant with friends, you will hear getrennt bezahlen. This means 'paying separately'. It is a very German tradition. Everyone pays exactly what they ate. No more, no less. It keeps friendships simple and math-heavy. Another common one is die Rechnung geht auf mich. This means 'the bill is on me'. Use it if you are feeling generous!
Notas de uso
This phrase is neutral and safe for all situations. Remember that in restaurants, 'bezahlen' is the verb of choice, while for bank transfers, 'begleichen' adds a touch of professional polish.
The 'Getrennt' Trick
In Germany, waiters will ask 'Zusammen oder getrennt?' (Together or separate?). If you want to pay only for your part, say 'Getrennt, bitte.' It is totally normal!
Watch the Deadlines
German invoices usually have a 'Zahlungsfrist' (payment deadline). If you miss it, you'll get a 'Mahnung'. Always check the date to avoid extra fees.
Cash is King
Even when you 'die Rechnung bezahlen' at a restaurant, many smaller places still don't take cards. Always keep some Euros on you just in case.
Ejemplos
6Ich möchte bitte die Rechnung bezahlen.
I would like to pay the bill, please.
The most common way to ask for the check in Germany.
Hast du die Stromrechnung schon bezahlt?
Have you already paid the electricity bill?
A typical household conversation about monthly costs.
Bezahlst du die Rechnung? Ich überweise dir das Geld.
Are you paying the bill? I'll transfer the money to you.
Common when one person pays the total and others reimburse them.
Wir müssen diese Rechnung bis Freitag bezahlen.
We must pay this invoice by Friday.
Focuses on the deadline of a professional payment.
Meine Brieftasche ist aus Zwiebelleder – wenn ich die Rechnung bezahle, muss ich weinen!
My wallet is made of onion leather – when I pay the bill, I have to cry!
A classic German dad joke about high prices.
Mein Vater hat die gesamte Rechnung für die Hochzeit bezahlt.
My father paid the entire bill for the wedding.
Shows gratitude for a significant financial gesture.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct verb form for 'I pay the bill.'
Ich ___ die Rechnung.
The first-person singular conjugation of 'bezahlen' is 'bezahle'.
Complete the sentence to ask for the bill politely.
Ich möchte bitte die ___ bezahlen.
'Rechnung' is the bill you receive before paying; 'Quittung' is the receipt you get after.
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Ayudas visuales
Formality of Paying
Paying a friend back for a döner.
Hier ist das Geld.
Standard phrase at a restaurant or shop.
Die Rechnung bezahlen.
Settling a corporate invoice.
Die Rechnung begleichen.
Where to use 'eine Rechnung bezahlen'
Restaurant
After a meal.
Online Shopping
Paying after delivery.
Doctor's Office
For private patients.
Home
Monthly utilities.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasThey are mostly interchangeable. However, bezahlen is often used for the specific object or total amount, while zahlen focuses on the act of giving money. You say Ich bezahle die Rechnung, but Ich zahle bar.
Not exactly. A Rechnung is the request for payment. Once you have paid, you get a Quittung or a Kassenbon (receipt).
No, it is not rude at all. You can simply say Die Rechnung, bitte whenever you are ready to leave.
You can say Das geht auf mich or Ich lade dich ein. This signals that you are the one paying for everyone.
It means you still have an unpaid bill. It can also be used idiomatically to mean you have 'unfinished business' or a 'score to settle' with someone.
Yes, tipping is common in restaurants. Usually, you round up the amount or add about 5-10%. You tell the waiter the total amount you want to pay including the tip.
Yes, you can say die Miete bezahlen. However, most people use the specific verb überweisen (to transfer) because rent is almost always a bank transfer.
This is a collective invoice. It is one bill that covers multiple services or deliveries over a period of time.
Technically yes, but Steuern zahlen is much more common. Rechnung implies a commercial invoice rather than a government tax demand.
A common slang term is blechen. It usually implies that the bill is very high or that you are paying it reluctantly, like Ich musste ordentlich blechen (I had to pay a lot).
Frases relacionadas
Die Rechnung, bitte!
The bill, please!
Zusammen oder getrennt?
Together or separate? (When paying)
Einen Beleg bitte.
A receipt, please.
Geld überweisen
To transfer money (the common way to pay German bills).
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