Geld überweisen
To transfer money
Littéralement: Money to transfer
Use this for any digital bank transfer, from paying rent to splitting a dinner bill.
En 15 secondes
- Digital bank transfer between accounts.
- Standard for paying rent and bills.
- Used for splitting costs via banking apps.
Signification
This is what you say when you send money from your bank account to someone else's. It is the standard way to pay bills or reimburse a friend digitally in Germany.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Splitting a restaurant bill
Ich bezahle jetzt alles und du kannst mir deinen Teil überweisen.
I'll pay everything now and you can transfer your share to me.
Confirming rent payment
Keine Sorge, ich habe die Miete gestern schon überwiesen.
Don't worry, I already transferred the rent yesterday.
Texting a friend about a debt
Schick mir deine IBAN, damit ich dir das Geld überweisen kann.
Send me your IBAN so I can transfer the money to you.
Contexte culturel
In Germany, the bank transfer (Überweisung) replaced checks decades ago. Because German privacy laws are strict, many people prefer direct bank-to-bank transfers over third-party apps. It is so culturally ingrained that 'Überweisung' is also the word used for a doctor's referral to a specialist.
The IBAN is key
In Germany, you don't usually use phone numbers to send money. You need the IBAN (International Bank Account Number). It starts with 'DE'.
Not for cash
Never use 'überweisen' if you are handing over physical money. Use 'geben' or 'bezahlen' instead.
En 15 secondes
- Digital bank transfer between accounts.
- Standard for paying rent and bills.
- Used for splitting costs via banking apps.
What It Means
Geld überweisen is the digital handshake of German finance. It means moving money between bank accounts. You aren't handing over physical cash. You are using an app or a website. It is the most common way to handle adult responsibilities in Germany.
How To Use It
The verb überweisen is the star here. It is an inseparable verb. This means the über- stays attached to the front. You usually say who gets the money in the dative case. For example: Ich überweise dir das Geld. You can also just say what you are paying for. Ich überweise die Miete. It is simple and direct.
When To Use It
Use this when you pay your monthly rent. Use it when you split a large dinner bill with friends. It is perfect for online shopping or paying a freelancer. If you see an IBAN on a paper bill, you need to überweisen. It is the go-to phrase for any non-cash transaction.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you are holding a physical banknote. If you give a friend a 10-Euro bill, use geben. If you pay at a supermarket with coins, use bezahlen. Überweisen is strictly for the digital world. Also, don't use it for small, instant transfers like 'Venmo' unless it's a bank app. For PayPal, Germans often just say per PayPal schicken.
Cultural Background
Germans have a unique relationship with money. Cash is still very popular for small things. However, for everything else, the Überweisung is king. Checks do not exist in modern German life. Instead, everyone knows their long IBAN by heart. It is very common to see people swapping bank details at a bar. It feels more formal than a 'cash app' but it's totally normal.
Common Variations
You might hear eine Echtzeit-Überweisung. This is an instant transfer. Another one is Dauerauftrag. This is a standing order for your rent. If you want to be very casual, you can say ich schick’ dir das Geld. But überweisen is the most precise and common term you will hear.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is neutral and works in both business and personal life. Remember that the verb is inseparable and irregular in its past participle form (`überwiesen`).
The IBAN is key
In Germany, you don't usually use phone numbers to send money. You need the IBAN (International Bank Account Number). It starts with 'DE'.
Not for cash
Never use 'überweisen' if you are handing over physical money. Use 'geben' or 'bezahlen' instead.
The 'Verwendungszweck'
When you transfer money, you must fill in a 'reason for payment'. Germans love being specific here. If it's for a pizza, write 'Pizza'!
Exemples
6Ich bezahle jetzt alles und du kannst mir deinen Teil überweisen.
I'll pay everything now and you can transfer your share to me.
A very common way to handle group dinners in Germany.
Keine Sorge, ich habe die Miete gestern schon überwiesen.
Don't worry, I already transferred the rent yesterday.
Uses the Perfekt tense 'überwiesen'.
Schick mir deine IBAN, damit ich dir das Geld überweisen kann.
Send me your IBAN so I can transfer the money to you.
Standard request before making a transfer.
Soll ich dir auch noch mein ganzes Gehalt überweisen?
Should I just transfer my whole salary to you as well?
Sarcastic response when someone asks for too much money.
Ich überweise dir sofort etwas Geld, damit du den Flug buchen kannst.
I'm transferring you some money immediately so you can book the flight.
Shows the speed and helpfulness of the action.
Bitte überweisen Sie den Betrag innerhalb von 14 Tagen.
Please transfer the amount within 14 days.
Standard phrasing on German invoices.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb for 'I'.
Ich ___ dir das Geld heute Abend.
For the first person singular (ich), the ending is -e.
Which word completes the phrase for 'paying rent'?
Hast du die Miete schon ___?
The past participle of 'überweisen' is 'überwiesen' (it's an irregular verb).
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Geld überweisen'
Using 'schicken' (to send) for small amounts.
Ich schick dir das Geld.
Standard use for friends and bills.
Ich überweise das Geld.
Official bank terminology or invoices.
Bitte überweisen Sie den Rechnungsbetrag.
When to use 'Geld überweisen'
Monthly Rent
Miete bezahlen
Online Shopping
Vorkasse
Splitting Dinner
Restaurantrechnung
Salary
Gehalt bekommen
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo, it is inseparable. Even though it starts with über-, you do not split it. You say Ich überweise, not Ich weise über.
Technically yes, but usually people say per PayPal schicken. Überweisen specifically implies a bank-to-bank transaction.
You can say: Kannst du mir das Geld bitte überweisen? It sounds polite but clear.
The most common past form is the Perfekt: Ich habe das Geld überwiesen. Note that it does not take a ge- prefix.
It is neutral. It's not too formal; it's just the correct technical word for the action.
It means an 'instant transfer'. The money arrives in the other account within seconds instead of days.
No, if the context is clear, you can just say Ich überweise es dir (I'll transfer it to you).
It is an automatic, recurring Überweisung. Most Germans use this for their monthly rent.
Yes! A doctor überweist you to a specialist. The noun is die Überweisung.
There isn't a single direct opposite, but receiving money is Geld erhalten or Geld bekommen.
Not really slang, but people often say rüberwachsen lassen for 'handing over the cash', though it's very informal.
Bank transfers are faster, safer, and more efficient. Checks are considered very old-fashioned and are almost never seen.
Expressions liées
Geld abheben
To withdraw money from an ATM
Die Rechnung begleichen
To settle/pay the bill
Einen Dauerauftrag einrichten
To set up a standing order
Bargeld einzahlen
To deposit cash
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