der  Geldbetrag

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɡɛltbəˌtraːk/

💰 What exactly is a 'Geldbetrag'?

Der Geldbetrag (noun, masculine) refers to a specific, usually precisely defined amount of money. It represents a quantifiable value in a currency.

The word is composed of:

• Geld (das Geld): money, currency
• Betrag (der Betrag): amount, sum

There is only one article for this word: der Geldbetrag.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar: How to decline 'der Geldbetrag'?

The noun der Geldbetrag is masculine. Here are the declension tables for singular and plural:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences 📝

• Der zu zahlende Geldbetrag steht auf der Rechnung.
  (The amount of money to be paid is on the invoice.)
• Sie überwies einen größeren Geldbetrag auf sein Konto.
  (She transferred a larger amount of money to his account.)
• Wir benötigen den genauen Geldbetrag für die Kalkulation.
  (We need the exact amount of money for the calculation.)
• Die Versicherung erstattete nur einen Teil des Geldbetrages.
  (The insurance only reimbursed part of the amount of money.)
• Hohe Geldbeträge wurden bei der Razzia sichergestellt.
  (Large amounts of money were seized during the raid.)

🏦 When to use 'Geldbetrag'?

The term Geldbetrag is primarily used in formal contexts, especially concerning finances, trade, invoices, bank transfers, or legal matters. It emphasizes the quantity of money.

• Compared to 'Summe': Die Summe (the sum) can be more general and also refer to things other than money (e.g., die Summe der Teile - the sum of the parts). Geldbetrag is specific to money.
• Compared to 'Betrag': Der Betrag (the amount) is often synonymous, but Geldbetrag explicitly clarifies that it refers to money. One might also say 'Rechnungsbetrag' (invoice amount), which implies money.
• Typical verbs: überweisen (to transfer), zahlen (to pay), erhalten (to receive), spenden (to donate), investieren (to invest), fordern (to demand), festlegen (to determine).

In everyday conversation, people often just say "Geld" (money) or mention the specific sum (e.g., "fünfzig Euro" - fifty euros) instead of "ein Geldbetrag von fünfzig Euro" (an amount of money of fifty euros).

🧠 Mnemonics for Memorization

For the article 'der': The base word is der Betrag (the amount). Since Betrag is masculine, the compound word der Geldbetrag also remains masculine. Remember: Der (the - masculine) boss determines den Betrag (the amount - accusative), which is then transferred as der Geldbetrag.

For the meaning: Imagine a large sack (der Sack) full of Geld (money). The quantity inside is der specific Betrag (amount) – hence, der Geldbetrag.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words

• Das Guthaben: (The credit balance) Positive balance on an account (a specific type of Geldbetrag).
• Das Kapital: (The capital) Assets that can be invested (often includes more than just cash).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Bekennen Sie sich schuldig, den geforderten Geldbetrag nicht gezahlt zu haben?"

Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Nicht schuldig, Euer Ehren. Ich habe lediglich einen alternativen Zahlungsplan entwickelt – er heißt 'Niemals'."

Translation:

The judge asks the defendant: "Do you plead guilty to not having paid the requested amount of money?"

The defendant replies: "Not guilty, Your Honor. I simply developed an alternative payment plan – it's called 'Never'."

📜 Poem about the 'Geldbetrag'

Ein Schein, eine Münze, ganz konkret,
Der Geldbetrag, der vor dir steht.
Mal groß, mal klein, mal knapp bemessen,
Auf Rechnungen ist er nie vergessen.
Er wechselt den Besitzer schnell,
Mal dunkel ist's um ihn, mal hell.
Ob Euro, Dollar oder Pfund,
Er macht die Welt oft ziemlich rund.

Translation:

A note, a coin, quite concrete,
The amount of money that stands before you.
Sometimes large, sometimes small, sometimes tightly measured,
On invoices, it is never forgotten.
It changes owners quickly,
Sometimes it's dark around it, sometimes bright.
Whether Euro, Dollar or Pound,
It often makes the world go round.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich habe keinen Körper, doch einen Wert besitze ich.
Man zählt mich, man überweist mich, man braucht mich sicherlich.
Auf Rechnungen steh' ich drauf, mal hoch und mal gering.
Ich bin 'ne Summe Penunzen, ein wichtiges Ding.

Was bin ich? ... Der Geldbetrag

Translation:

I have no body, yet I possess value.
People count me, transfer me, they surely need me.
I'm written on invoices, sometimes high and sometimes low.
I'm a sum of cash, an important thing.

What am I? ... The amount of money (Der Geldbetrag)

ℹ️ Interesting Facts

Word Composition (Compound Noun):

Der Geldbetrag is a typical German compound noun. It consists of:

• Base word (Grundwort): der Betrag (determines the article 'der' and the grammatical gender - masculine).
• Determinant (Bestimmungswort): das Geld (specifies what kind of amount it is - money).

Such compounds are very common in German and allow for precise descriptions.