der
Kupon
✂️ What does 'der Kupon' mean?
Der Kupon (also spelled Coupon) is a masculine noun in German. It refers to a section or voucher that entitles the holder to redeem it for goods, services, a discount, or interest.
There are two main meanings:
- Voucher/Discount Coupon: A slip of paper granting a price reduction or exchangeable for goods/services. Often used in advertising or promotions. 🛍️ (Example: Ein Rabatt-Kupon / a discount coupon)
- Interest/Dividend Coupon: The part of a fixed-income security (bond) or stock certificate that entitles the holder to receive interest or dividend payments. 💰 (Example: Der Kupon einer Anleihe / the coupon of a bond)
⚠️ Note: The spelling Coupon (from French) is also common and correct in German.
🧐 Grammar of 'der Kupon' in Detail
The word "Kupon" is a masculine noun. Its declension is as follows:
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Case) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Kupon | (Subject) |
| Genitive | des | Kupons | (Possessive) |
| Dative | dem | Kupon | (Indirect Object) |
| Accusative | den | Kupon | (Direct Object) |
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Case) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kupons | (Subject) |
| Genitive | der | Kupons | (Possessive) |
| Dative | den | Kupons | (Indirect Object) |
| Accusative | die | Kupons | (Direct Object) |
Example Sentences
- Ich habe einen Kupon für 10% Rabatt auf meinen nächsten Einkauf.
(I have a coupon for a 10% discount on my next purchase.) - Bitte schneiden Sie den Kupon aus und bringen Sie ihn zur Kasse mit.
(Please cut out the coupon and bring it to the checkout.) - Die Zinsen für die Anleihe werden gegen Vorlage des fälligen Kupons ausgezahlt.
(The interest on the bond is paid upon presentation of the due coupon.) - Kann ich mehrere Kupons gleichzeitig einlösen?
(Can I redeem multiple coupons at the same time?)
💡 How to use 'der Kupon'?
The term "Kupon" is frequently used in the context of shopping, marketing campaigns, and finance.
- In retail (im Handel): As a synonym for Gutschein (voucher) or Rabattmarke (discount token). One speaks of 'einen Kupon einlösen' (to redeem a coupon). Example: "Mit diesem Kupon sparen Sie 5 Euro." (With this coupon, you save 5 Euros.)
- In finance (im Finanzwesen): Refers to the interest or dividend section of a security. Example: "Der Kupon der Anleihe beträgt 3% pro Jahr." (The bond's coupon is 3% per year.)
- Generally: Can sometimes refer to ticket stubs or similar items, although this is less common.
In everyday life, the meaning as a voucher/discount coupon is much more prevalent.
Distinction: While Gutschein often represents a fixed monetary value or a specific service (e.g., Massagegutschein - massage voucher), Kupon is more frequently associated with percentage discounts, though it doesn't have to be.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Kupon'
Article Mnemonic: Think of needing to show the coupon to DER KassieRER (the cashier, masculine). The 'R' sound can remind you of 'der'.
Meaning Mnemonic: A Kupon helps you 'coop up' some savings (sounds like Kupon). Or think of 'cutting' (French 'couper') out the Kupon to get a deal.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Gutschein: (Voucher) Very common synonym, often interchangeable.
- Bon: (Receipt, voucher) Short word, often used for till receipts with discount functions or smaller vouchers.
- Rabattmarke: (Discount token) Emphasizes the discount aspect.
- Wertmarke: (Token, stamp) More general, can be for other purposes.
- Zinsschein: (Interest coupon - financial context)
- Abschnitt: (Section, slip - general term for a detachable part)
Similar but Different Words:
- Quittung: (Receipt) Proof of payment, not a voucher.
- Ticket / Eintrittskarte: (Ticket / Admission ticket) Grants entry, but usually not a 'Kupon' in the sense of a discount voucher.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Kassierer: "Haben Sie einen Kupon?"
Sagt der Kunde: "Nein, ich huste nur so komisch!"
Translation:
The cashier asks: "Do you have a coupon (Kupon)?"
The customer replies: "No, I just have a funny cough!" (Playing on the similar sound of 'Kupon' and 'husten' - to cough, in a very loose sense).
✍️ Poem about the Kupon
Ein kleiner Schein, der Kupon fein,
macht den Einkauf oft nicht klein,
sondern günstiger, das ist der Clou,
drum schneid ihn aus und gib ihn dazu!
Ob Rabatt in Prozent und Zahl,
oder Zinsen, erste Wahl,
er hilft dir sparen, hier und dort,
ein nützlich' Ding, an jedem Ort.
Translation:
A little slip, the coupon neat,
often doesn't make the purchase small,
but cheaper, that's the key,
so cut it out and add it, you see!Whether discount in percent and number,
or interest, first choice to remember,
it helps you save, both here and there,
a useful thing, found everywhere.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Stück Papier, oft klein,
und helfe dir beim Sparen fein.
Du schneidest mich aus, gibst mich her,
und zahlst dann weniger, bitte sehr!
Manchmal geb ich Zinsen dir,
von einem alten Wertpapier.
Wer bin ich?
(Lösung: der Kupon)
Translation:
I'm a piece of paper, often small,
and help you save money, standing tall.
You cut me out, you hand me o'er,
and then pay less than you did before!
Sometimes I give you interest due,
from an old security, it's true.
What am I?(Answer: der Kupon)
🌍 Other Information
Word Origin (Wortherkunft): The word "Kupon" comes from the French word "coupon", meaning "section" or "stub". This, in turn, derives from the verb "couper", meaning "to cut". This fits well, as coupons are often cut out.
Financial World (Finanzwelt): In financial jargon, the Kupon refers to the annual interest rate of a bond (e.g., "Diese Anleihe hat einen Kupon von 4%" - "This bond has a coupon of 4%"). Historically, these were actual detachable sections (coupons) on the physical bond certificate that were presented to the bank for interest payment.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kupon?
The word "Kupon" is always masculine in German. The correct form is: der Kupon. It refers to a voucher, discount coupon, or an interest coupon from a security.