Money & Exchange

1. Wo ist der nächste Geldautomat?

   Where is the nearest ATM?

   Usage

   Used to locate the nearest ATM when cash is needed

   Grammar Note

   "Geldautomat" is masculine, hence "der nächste Geldautomat." "Bankautomat" is a synonym

2. Kann ich mit Kreditkarte zahlen?

   Can I pay by credit card?

   Usage

   Used to check whether card payment is accepted, since many German businesses prefer cash

   Grammar Note

   "Mit + dative" expresses the means of payment. Also: "mit EC-Karte" (debit card), "in bar" (cash)

3. Wo kann ich Geld wechseln?

   Where can I exchange money?

   Usage

   Used to find a currency exchange when converting foreign money to euros

   Grammar Note

   "Wechseln" means to exchange or change (money, clothes, etc.). Context clarifies the meaning

4. Wie viel kostet das?

   How much does this cost?

   Usage

   The most common phrase to ask the price of an item or activity

   Grammar Note

   "Wie viel kostet" + item. For plural items, use "Wie viel kosten die...?"

5. Stimmt so

   Keep the change

   Usage

   Used when paying to tell the driver or waiter to keep the change as a tip

   Grammar Note

   "Stimmt so" literally means "that's right as it is" — the standard way to indicate you're leaving a tip in Germany

6. Getrennt zahlen, bitte

   Separate bills, please

   Usage

   Used when dining in a group to request separate bills for each person

   Grammar Note

   The opposite is "Zusammen zahlen" (pay together). Separate bills are generally accepted without issue in Germany

7. Können Sie den Preis reduzieren?

   Can you reduce the price?

   Usage

   Used for price negotiation at markets or flea markets; less common in regular shops

   Grammar Note

   "Den Preis" uses the masculine accusative (der → den). "Einen Rabatt geben" (to give a discount) is a synonym

8. Haben Sie Wechselgeld?

   Do you have change?

   Usage

   Used when paying with a large bill to check whether the cashier has change

   Grammar Note

   "Wechselgeld" means change given back after payment. "Kleingeld" means loose change / coins in general

9. Was ist der aktuelle Wechselkurs?

   What is the current exchange rate?

   Usage

   Used at a currency exchange or bank to ask about the current exchange rate

   Grammar Note

   "Kurs" is masculine, so "der aktuelle Wechselkurs" uses the masculine definite article

10. Ich möchte 100 Euro abheben

    I would like to withdraw 100 euros

    Usage

    Used at a bank to specify the amount you wish to withdraw

    Grammar Note

    "Abheben" is separable; "ab" moves to the end. "Möchte" is the subjunctive II of "mögen," used for polite requests

11. die Kaution

    Deposit

    Usage

    A refundable deposit paid at check-in for hotels or rentals

12. die Rückerstattung

    Refund

    Usage

    Used when asking for money to be returned

13. die Vorauszahlung

    Prepayment

    Usage

    Used to indicate money paid in advance, e.g. at booking

14. der Aufpreis

    Extra charge

    Usage

    Used to indicate an additional charge added later

15. die Servicegebühr

    Service fee

    Usage

    Used to indicate a fee charged for a service or procedure

16. das Bargeld

    Cash

    Usage

    Show this to say you will pay cash; many small German shops still take cash only

17. die Kreditkarte

    Credit card

    Usage

    Point to this to ask whether you can pay by card

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; plain "die Karte" can mean a map, a menu, or a ticket, so use this compound. A debit card is "die EC-Karte"

18. jeder zahlt für sich

    Each pays for their own

    Usage

    Show this at the till to say everyone pays separately

19. alles zusammen

    All together (one bill)

    Usage

    Show this to ask for one bill; staff will ask "Zusammen oder getrennt?"

20. zu teuer

    Too expensive

    Usage

    Show this while bargaining to say the price is too high

21. das Wechselgeld

    Change (money returned)

    Usage

    Point to this to ask for or check your change

    Grammar Note

    Neuter noun; currency exchange itself is "der Geldwechsel"

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