der  Beleg

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈleːk/

🧾 What exactly is a 'Beleg'?

The word der Beleg (masculine) primarily has two meanings in German:

• Receipt or till slip: This is the most common meaning in everyday life. A Beleg confirms the purchase of goods or services and the amount paid. Example: "Heben Sie den Kassenbon als Beleg auf." (Keep the till slip as a receipt/proof.)
• Proof or evidence: In a more formal context, a Beleg serves to substantiate or prove a statement, claim, or fact. This can be a document, a citation, an exhibit, or similar. Example: "Der Historiker lieferte zahlreiche Belege für seine These." (The historian provided numerous pieces of evidence for his thesis.)

⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar of 'der Beleg' in Detail

Der Beleg is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Singular

Note: In the genitive and dative singular, both forms (with and without -e) are often possible, though the form without -e is more common.

Plural

Example Sentences

1. Ich brauche den Beleg für die Steuererklärung. (I need the receipt for the tax return. - Accusative Singular - receipt)
2. Die Existenz dieses Dokuments ist ein wichtiger Beleg für unsere Vermutung. (The existence of this document is important evidence for our assumption. - Nominative Singular - evidence)
3. Aufgrund der fehlenden Belege konnte die Ausgabe nicht erstattet werden. (Due to the missing receipts, the expense could not be reimbursed. - Genitive Plural - receipts)
4. Bitte fügen Sie Ihrer Bewerbung alle relevanten Belege bei. (Please attach all relevant documents/proofs to your application. - Accusative Plural - proofs/documents)

🛒 When and How to Use 'Beleg'?

The use of der Beleg strongly depends on the context:

• In everyday life (shopping, accounting): Here it usually means the receipt or till slip. People refer to Kassenbeleg (till receipt), Zahlungsbeleg (payment receipt), Rechnungsbeleg (invoice document), etc. Example: "Kann ich bitte einen Beleg haben?" (Can I have a receipt, please?)
• In academic/scientific fields: Here, Beleg means a citation, source, or other piece of evidence supporting a statement. Example: "Für diese Behauptung fehlt noch der Beleg in der Fußnote." (The citation/proof for this claim is still missing in the footnote.)
• In legal or formal contexts: Here, Beleg stands for proof or evidence. Example: "Die Polizei sucht nach Belegen für die Schuld des Verdächtigen." (The police are looking for evidence of the suspect's guilt.)

Distinction from similar words:

• Quittung: Often synonymous with Beleg meaning purchase confirmation, but emphasizes the confirmation of receiving payment more strongly.
• Nachweis: Similar to Beleg in the sense of proof, often more formal. You can 'einen Nachweis erbringen' (provide proof).
• Beweis: Stronger than Beleg, often used in a legal or logical sense to confirm something beyond doubt.

💡 Mnemonics for 'der Beleg'

Article Mnemonic:

Think: You need der Beleg (the receipt/proof) to prove something to der Mann (the man / authority figure). Both masculine. Or: A receipt often has a tear-off part - imagine 'der T(ea)r'.

Meaning Mnemonic:

A Beleg is like a supporting 'leg' for your claim or purchase record. It 'be-longs' with the item or statement as proof. It helps you 'lay' ('legen') out the facts.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for 'Beleg'

Watch out for confusion:

• Belag (der): Refers to a covering, layer, or coating (e.g., Straßenbelag - road surface, Zungenbelag - tongue coating, Brotbelag - sandwich topping). Sounds similar but means something completely different! 🚨

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette keine Belege mit?

Weil sie keine Quittung für bare Münze nehmen! 😉🦴

Translation: Why don't skeletons take receipts?

Because they don't take a 'Quittung' (receipt) for 'bare Münze' (face value / literally: bare coin)! (It's a pun on the idiom 'etwas für bare Münze nehmen' which means 'to take something at face value'.)

📜 A Poem About the 'Beleg'

Ein Zettel klein, oft übersehn,
muss doch als Beleg bestehn.
Für Einkauf, Zahlung, steuerlich,
ist er oft ganz fürchterlich
wichtig, wenn man's nachweist gern,
drum heb ihn auf, ob nah, ob fern!
Auch Thesen brauchen festen Stand,
den Beleg fest in der Hand.

Translation:
A little note, oft overlooked,
must still as proof ('Beleg') be booked.
For purchase, payment, taxes due,
it's often terribly
important, if you want to prove,
so keep it safe, wherever you move!
Theses too need solid ground,
the proof ('Beleg') held tightly, safe and sound.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Stück Papier, mal klein, mal groß,
beweise einen Kauf, ganz rigoros.
Ich helfe bei der Steuer, das ist klar,
und zeige Forschern, was einst war.

Mal heiß ich Quittung, mal Beweis,
heb mich gut auf, das ist mein Preis!

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I am a piece of paper, sometimes small, sometimes large,
I prove a purchase, quite without discharge.
I help with taxes, that is clear,
and show researchers what was once here.

Sometimes I'm called receipt, sometimes proof,
keep me safe, that's the behoof!

Who am I?

Solution: der Beleg

ℹ️ More Tidbits

Word Origin:

The word Beleg derives from the verb belegen. 'Belegen' can mean 'to cover something', 'to occupy a place', or indeed 'to prove/substantiate something'. So, the Beleg is originally that which 'covers' or 'lays out' (proves) something.

Compound Words:

There are many compound words with 'Beleg' that specify the meaning:

• Kassenbeleg: Till receipt.
• Zahlungsbeleg: Payment receipt/proof.
• Buchungsbeleg: Accounting voucher/document.
• Quellenbeleg: Source citation/proof.
• Originalbeleg: The original document.