der  Kredit

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/kʁeˈdɪt/

🏦 What does 'der Kredit' mean?

The German word der Kredit primarily has two meanings:

1. Financial Loan: The most common meaning refers to the temporary provision of money (or sometimes goods) by a lender (Kreditgeber, e.g., a bank) to a borrower (Kreditnehmer), combined with the obligation to repay, usually with interest (Zinsen). Synonyms include Darlehen or Anleihe.
2. Reputation / Trust (less common): In a figurative, somewhat dated sense, 'Kredit' can also mean the trust, standing, or good reputation of a person or institution. Example: "Er hat bei seinen Kollegen viel Kredit verspielt." (He lost a lot of credit/standing with his colleagues.)

🚨 The financial meaning is by far the most common one today.

📊 Grammar of 'der Kredit' in Detail

Der Kredit is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Singular

Note: In the genitive and dative singular, both forms (-s/-es and -/e respectively) are often possible, though the shorter forms (-s and -) are more common.

Plural

Example Sentences 📜

1. Die Bank gewährte uns einen Kredit für das neue Haus.
   (The bank granted us a loan for the new house.)
2. Die Zinsen des Kredits sind sehr hoch.
   (The interest rates of the loan are very high.)
3. Viele Unternehmen finanzieren Investitionen über Kredite.
   (Many companies finance investments through loans.)
4. Er genießt bei seinen Geschäftspartnern großen Kredit.
   (He enjoys great standing/trust among his business partners.)

💡 How 'der Kredit' is Used

Der Kredit is almost always used in a financial context:

• Kredit aufnehmen/beantragen: To take out/apply for a loan. ("Ich muss einen Kredit aufnehmen." - I need to take out a loan.)
• Kredit gewähren/geben: To grant/give a loan. ("Die Bank hat den Kredit gewährt." - The bank granted the loan.)
• Kredit zurückzahlen/tilgen: To pay back/repay a loan. ("Der Kredit wird in Raten getilgt." - The loan is repaid in installments.)
• Auf Kredit kaufen: To buy something on credit (installment plan). ("Das Auto wurde auf Kredit gekauft." - The car was bought on credit.)

Compared to Darlehen, Kredit is the more general term. A Darlehen is often longer-term and for larger amounts (e.g., Immobiliendarlehen - mortgage loan), while Kredite can also be short-term (e.g., Dispokredit - overdraft facility, Konsumkredit - consumer loan).

The meaning "standing" or "trust" is less common and often sounds a bit formal or dated. One would more likely say "Er genießt großes Vertrauen" (He enjoys great trust) than "Er genießt großen Kredit".

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Kredit'

For the article 'der': Think of a bank setting. The bank manager (Direktor, masculine) gives you der loan. Many roles ending in -er are masculine in German.

For the meaning (finance): 'Kredit' sounds a bit like 'credit' in English, which is its direct equivalent in financial contexts (loan, line of credit).

↔️ Opposites and Alternatives: der Kredit

⚠️ Similar Words

Be careful not to confuse Kredit with Kreditkarte. A Kreditkarte is a credit card, a payment method often linked to a credit line (Kreditrahmen).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Bankdirektor den Kunden: "Benötigen Sie den Kredit für einen bestimmten Zweck?"
Antwortet der Kunde: "Ja, um meine Schulden bei Ihrer Bank zu bezahlen!"

Translation:
The bank manager asks the customer: "Do you need the loan for a specific purpose?"
The customer replies: "Yes, to pay off my debts at your bank!"

📜 A Poem About Credit

Ein Wunsch ist da, das Geld ist knapp,
Die Bank hilft aus, macht nicht schlapp.
Der Kredit, er fließt geschwind,
Doch Zinsen kommen, wie der Wind.

Man kauft das Haus, das Auto neu,
Vergisst die Raten nicht, bleibt treu.
Denn ist der Kredit erstmal fort,
Ist Ruhe eingekehrt am Ort.

Translation:
A wish is there, the money's tight,
The bank helps out, with all its might.
The loan (der Kredit), it flows so fast,
But interest comes, like a windy blast.

One buys the house, the car so new,
Forgets no payment, stays quite true.
For once the loan is gone away,
Then peace returns to stay.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich werde oft bei Banken gesucht,
Hab' Zinsen als meine Frucht.
Man nimmt mich auf, zahlt mich zurück,
Für Haus, Auto oder ein kleines Stück Glück.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I'm often sought at banks, you see,
Interest is the fruit of me.
You take me out, then pay me back,
For house, or car, or some small track
Of happiness.

What am I?

Solution: der Kredit (the loan/credit)

🌐 More About 'Kredit'

Word Origin: The word 'Kredit' comes from the Latin credere (to believe, to trust) or creditum (that which is entrusted). This reflects the original meaning of trust, which still resonates today.

Compound Words: There are many German words formed with 'Kredit', for example:

• Kreditkarte (credit card)
• Kreditwürdigkeit (creditworthiness)
• Kreditinstitut (credit institution, bank)
• Kreditrahmen (credit limit)
• Konsumkredit (consumer loan)
• Immobilienkredit (mortgage loan)