der
Restbetrag
💰 What exactly is a 'Restbetrag'?
The German noun der Restbetrag refers to the remaining amount of money that is left over or still needs to be paid after a partial payment or settlement. It's the difference between a total amount (Gesamtbetrag) and the part that has already been paid (bezahlter Teil).
Imagine buying something in installments (etwas auf Raten kaufen). The Restbetrag is the sum of all installments you still have to pay.
⚠️ There are no other articles for this word; it is always der Restbetrag.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ag → always masculine.
📊 Grammar Spotlight: Der Restbetrag
The noun „Restbetrag“ is masculine.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der | Restbetrag |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Restbetrag(e)s |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Restbetrag(e) |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den | Restbetrag |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Restbeträge |
| Genitive | der | Restbeträge |
| Dative | den | Restbeträgen |
| Accusative | die | Restbeträge |
💬 Everyday Examples
- Bitte überweisen Sie den Restbetrag bis zum Monatsende.
(Please transfer the remaining amount by the end of the month.) - Nach der Anzahlung verbleibt ein Restbetrag von 500 Euro.
(After the down payment, a remaining balance of 500 Euros remains.) - Der Restbetrag auf meinem Konto ist leider sehr gering.
(Unfortunately, the remaining balance in my account is very low.) - Die Firma mahnte die Zahlung des offenen Restbetrages an.
(The company reminded about the payment of the outstanding balance.)
💡 When to use 'Restbetrag'?
The term „Restbetrag“ is mainly used in financial and commercial contexts:
- Invoices & Payments (Rechnungen & Zahlungen): When a partial amount has already been paid (e.g., a down payment - Anzahlung), the outstanding amount is the Restbetrag.
- Loans & Credits (Kredite & Darlehen): The sum that still needs to be repaid after installment payments is called Restschuld (remaining debt) or Restbetrag.
- Account Balances (Kontostände): Sometimes the available amount in an account is referred to as the Restbetrag, especially after expenses have been deducted.
- Settlements (Abrechnungen): In the final settlement of projects or trips, the remaining balance is shown as the Restbetrag.
It's closely related to words like Saldo (balance) or Restsumme (remaining sum), but Restbetrag is often preferred when referring to a specific amount still to be paid.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Betrag (the amount). Many German nouns ending in -trag are masculine (der Antrag - application, der Vortrag - presentation). The Restbetrag is also der Betrag (the amount) that is left over (the rest).
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you 'bet' (sounds like Betrag) you can pay the whole amount, but you only manage a part. The 'rest' of the 'bet amount' is the Restbetrag. Or simply: the rest of the amount.
🔄 Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- die Restsumme: Remaining sum (very similar, often interchangeable).
- der Saldo: Balance (especially on an account).
- die Restzahlung: Final payment (specifically refers to the last payment covering the remaining amount).
- die Restschuld: Remaining debt (specifically for loans).
- der Differenzbetrag: Difference amount (more general term for the difference between two amounts).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- der Gesamtbetrag: Total amount (the full sum before deductions or payments).
- die Anzahlung: Down payment (the initial partial payment).
- die Vorauszahlung: Advance payment (a payment made beforehand).
- die Gutschrift: Credit entry (an amount credited to an account, can reduce or cancel out a Restbetrag).
🚨 Note: Although Restsumme is very similar in meaning, it takes the feminine article die.
😄 A Little Financial Joke
Ein Kunde fragt den Bankberater: „Ist mein Geld bei Ihnen sicher?“
Sagt der Berater: „Na klar!“
Fragt der Kunde: „Auch vor Ihnen?“
Sagt der Berater: „Ach was, wovon soll ich denn sonst den Restbetrag meiner Villa bezahlen?“
--- Translation ---
A customer asks the bank advisor: "Is my money safe with you?"
The advisor says: "Of course!"
The customer asks: "Safe from you too?"
The advisor says: "Don't be silly, how else am I supposed to pay the remaining balance on my villa?"
✍️ A Poem about the 'Restbetrag'
Die Rechnung kam, ein hoher Schreck,
Ein Teil bezahlt, doch nicht komplett weg.
Was übrig bleibt, ganz ohne Frag',
Ist der Restbetrag, Tag für Tag.
Mal groß, mal klein, mal kaum zu seh'n,
Er muss beglichen werden, wunderschön.
Drum prüfe stets, was offen steht,
Bevor der Mahnbescheid anweht.
--- Translation ---
The bill arrived, a dreadful sight,
A part was paid, but not gone quite.
What still remains, no need to ask,
Is the remaining sum, day after day's task.
Sometimes it's large, sometimes it's small,
It must be settled, standing tall.
So always check what's outstanding yet,
Before the dunning letter's threat.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Teil von einer Zahl,
übrig nach der ersten Wahl (der Zahlung).
Auf Rechnungen steh' ich oft am End',
bis man auch mich zur Kasse lenkt.
Was bin ich?
--- Translation ---
I am part of a number, you see,
Left over after the first decree (the payment).
On invoices, I often reside at the end,
Until my payment, someone does send.
What am I?
(Solution: der Restbetrag / the remaining amount)
🧩 Word Composition
The word „Restbetrag“ is a compound noun, formed from:
Together, they logically form the meaning: the remaining amount of money.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Restbetrag?
The word "Restbetrag" is masculine, so the correct article is always der Restbetrag. It means the remaining amount or balance, typically after a partial payment has been made.