das  Spendenkonto

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃpɛndənˌkɔnto/

🏦 What exactly is a Spendenkonto?

A Spendenkonto is a special bank account set up exclusively to collect monetary donations (*Geldspenden*) for a specific (usually charitable) purpose. Organizations (*Organisationen*), associations (*Vereine*), or even private individuals use it to receive financial support for projects, relief campaigns (*Hilfsaktionen*), or disaster victims (*Katastrophenopfer*).

It's a compound noun:

• die Spende (donation) + das Konto (account) = das Spendenkonto

Since the second part of the word is 'Konto' and its article is 'das', the article for the compound word is also 'das'.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: das Spendenkonto

The word 'Spendenkonto' is a neuter noun (*sächliches Substantiv*). It follows the regular declension for nouns ending in '-o', often taking an '-s' in the genitive singular and '-en' or '-s' in the plural (here: '-en').

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

1. Die Organisation hat ein Spendenkonto für die Flutopfer eingerichtet.
   (The organization set up a donation account for the flood victims.)
2. Bitte überweisen Sie Ihre Spende auf das angegebene Spendenkonto.
   (Please transfer your donation to the specified donation account.)
3. Der Verein verwaltet mehrere Spendenkonten für unterschiedliche Projekte.
   (The association manages several donation accounts for different projects.)
4. Die Transparenz bei der Verwaltung des Spendenkontos ist sehr wichtig.
   (Transparency in the administration of the donation account is very important.)

💡 How is Spendenkonto used?

The term Spendenkonto is primarily used in the context of charity (*Wohltätigkeit*), fundraising, and non-profit organizations (*gemeinnützige Organisationen*). When an organization asks for financial support (*finanzielle Unterstützung*), it usually provides the bank details (*Bankverbindung*) of its *Spendenkonto*.

Typical use cases:

• Appeals for donations in the media (newspapers, television, internet)
• Mentioned on flyers or websites of aid organizations
• Used in official reports of associations and foundations

It's important to distinguish a *Spendenkonto* from a regular business account (*Geschäftskonto*) or personal account (*Privatkonto*), as it serves a specific, often tax-relevant purpose.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

1. Remembering the Article: Think of the base word: das Konto. Like the little 'o' at the end, *Konto* is often neuter. So: das Konto -> das Spendenkonto.

2. Remembering the Meaning: Imagine a large pot (*das Konto*) into which many people toss coins (*Spenden* - donations) for a good cause. That's the Spenden-Konto (donation account).

Das Konto collects Spenden fast, for people in need, a fund to last!

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat das Spendenkonto nie schlechte Laune?
(Why is the donation account never in a bad mood?)

Weil es immer voller guter Absichten ist!
(Because it's always full of good intentions!)

📜 A Short Poem

Ein Konto, schlicht und rein,
(An account, simple and pure,)
nimmt viele Spenden ein.
(takes many donations in.)
Für Hilfe, groß und klein,
(For help, big and small,)
soll dieser Beitrag sein.
(this contribution shall be.)
Das Spendenkonto, wohlbekannt,
(The donation account, well-known,)
reicht helfend seine Hand.
(extends its helping hand.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich habe eine Nummer, doch kein Telefon.
(I have a number, but no telephone.)
Ich sammle Geld, doch bin kein Sparschweinlohn.
(I collect money, but am no piggy bank's reward.)
Ich diene guten Zwecken, groß und klein.
(I serve good causes, big and small.)
Was kann ich wohl nur sein?
(What can I possibly be?)

Solution: das Spendenkonto (the donation account)

🧩 Word Composition and Other Info

The word 'Spendenkonto' is a clear example of German word composition (*Kompositum*):

• Die Spende: donation, contribution (often money) for a charitable purpose.
• Das Konto: bank account, account.

Together, the meaning emerges: An account specifically for collecting donations.

In the context of transparency (*Transparenz*), it is often important that the use of funds in a Spendenkonto is traceable, e.g., through reports published by the collecting organization.