der  Scheck

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃɛk/

📜 What exactly is a 'Scheck'?

A Scheck (der Scheck, masculine) is a written payment instrument, specifically an instruction to a bank (the drawee institution) to pay a specific amount of money from the issuer's account to the payee named on the cheque/check (or to the bearer).

Essentially, it's a form filled out and signed by the account holder to authorize a payment.

🚨 Important Note: The use of cheques (Schecks) has significantly declined in modern German payment transactions, often replaced by bank transfers (Überweisungen), direct debits (Lastschriften), or card payments. However, they haven't completely disappeared.

🧐 Grammar: Declining 'der Scheck'

The noun 'Scheck' is masculine (maskulin) and follows the strong declension pattern.

Example Sentences

1. Er bezahlte die Rechnung mit einem Scheck.
   (He paid the bill with a cheque/check.)
2. Die Gültigkeit des Schecks ist abgelaufen.
   (The validity of the cheque/check has expired.)
3. Ich habe den Betrag dem Scheck entnommen.
   (I took the amount from the cheque/check.)
4. Bitte reichen Sie den Scheck bei Ihrer Bank ein.
   (Please submit the cheque/check to your bank.)
5. Früher wurden Gehälter oft als Schecks ausgestellt.
   (Salaries used to often be issued as cheques/checks.)

🏦 Everyday Usage

The term der Scheck is primarily used in the context of banking and payments.

• Payment Method: It used to be common to pay larger sums by cheque (e.g., buying a car, paying rent). This is rare today.
• Verrechnungsscheck vs. Barscheck: A Verrechnungsscheck (crossed cheque) can only be credited to an account, whereas a Barscheck (cash cheque) could theoretically be exchanged for cash directly at the bank counter (rarely practiced anymore).
• Scheckbetrug (Cheque Fraud): Unfortunately, the term is also known in the context of fraudulent activities (e.g., bounced cheques - ungedeckte Schecks).
• Distinction: A Scheck is not a guarantee of payment if the account lacks funds. It differs significantly from an Überweisung (direct bank transfer) or a Lastschrift (direct debit).

Although less common, the Scheck still appears in certain niches or for international payments.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article 'der': Think of der Bankmanager (masculine) who has to check the Scheck. Many financial roles are grammatically masculine in German (der Banker, der Kassierer), which might help you remember der Scheck.

Meaning: The word sounds very much like the English word "check". A Scheck must be checked by the bank before payment. Or: You use it to pay when you check out (figuratively).

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

⚠️ Potentially Confusing Words

• Schach (chess): Sounds similar but is completely unrelated.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette keine Schecks an?

Weil sie kein Konto mehr haben, auf das sie ihn einzahlen könnten! 🦴

(Why don't skeletons accept cheques/checks? Because they no longer have an account to deposit it into!)

✍️ Poem about the 'Scheck'

Ein Papier, fast schon antik,
der Scheck, mit Datum, Zahl und Klick
der Unterschrift, so fein und klar,
verspricht dem Nehmer bares Jahr? Nein, 's muss erst zur Bank, das Stück,
für Kontogutschrift, welch ein Glück?
Die Zeiten ändern sich, oh Schreck,
doch bleibt die Idee vom Scheck.

(A paper, almost antique,
the cheque, with date, number, and click
of the signature, so fine and clear,
promises the taker cash for the year?
No, first to the bank, the piece must go,
for account credit, what a stroke of luck?
Times change, oh dear,
but the idea of the cheque remains.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich trage Zahlen, groß und klein,
doch Geld bin ich nicht selbst, oh nein.
Der Banker prüft mich ganz genau,
bevor er zahlt, mal mehr, mal lau.
Ich komme aus einem kleinen Buch,
mein Einsatz heute? Eher Fluch.

Was bin ich?
... Der Scheck

(I carry numbers, large and small,
but money I am not myself, oh no.
The banker checks me very closely,
before paying, sometimes more, sometimes tepidly.
I come from a small book,
my use today? More like a curse.)

(What am I?
... The cheque/check)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The German word 'Scheck' was borrowed in the 18th century from the English cheque or check, which originally meant "control" (control over the payment).
• Compound Words: There are several common compounds, such as Scheckbuch (chequebook), Scheckkarte (outdated term for debit/bank card), Scheckbetrug (cheque fraud), Scheckeinreicher (person submitting a cheque).
• International: Spelling and usage can vary internationally (e.g., 'cheque' in British English, 'check' in American English). The German term covers both.