die  Einzahlung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaɪnˌtsaʊlʊŋ/

💰 What exactly is 'eine Einzahlung'?

The noun Einzahlung is feminine (article 'die') and refers to the act or the amount of depositing money into an account (e.g., Bankkonto - bank account, Sparkonto - savings account). It's the opposite of an Auszahlung (withdrawal).

• Main meaning: The act of adding funds to an account or a cash register.
• Context: Primarily used in banking and commerce.

There are no other meanings associated with different articles, as 'Einzahlung' is always feminine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar and Declension of 'die Einzahlung'

The noun 'Einzahlung' is feminine. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Ich muss heute noch eine Einzahlung auf mein Konto tätigen.
   (I still have to make a deposit into my account today.)
2. Die Summe aller Einzahlungen im letzten Monat war beachtlich.
   (The sum of all deposits last month was considerable.)
3. Der Kassierer bestätigte den Erhalt der Einzahlung.
   (The cashier confirmed receipt of the deposit.)
4. Bitte notieren Sie den Zweck der Einzahlung auf dem Beleg.
   (Please note the purpose of the deposit on the receipt.)

🏦 When and how to use 'Einzahlung'?

The term Einzahlung is almost exclusively used in a financial context.

• Bankwesen (Banking): When cash (Bargeld) or a check (Scheck) is brought to a bank account (Bareinzahlung - cash deposit, Scheckeinzahlung - check deposit).
• Buchhaltung (Accounting): As an inflow of funds into the cash register or bank accounts.
• Handel (Commerce): For down payments (Anzahlungen) or installment payments (Ratenzahlungen) for goods or services.

Distinction from other terms:

• Überweisung (Bank transfer): Refers to the cashless transfer of money from one account to another. An Überweisung *results* in an Einzahlung on the recipient's account, but it's not the same as the physical act of depositing cash.
• Gutschrift (Credit entry): Is the result of a deposit or transfer appearing on an account statement (the amount credited).

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse 'Einzahlung' with 'Zahlung' (payment). A Zahlung can also be an outflow (withdrawal/expense).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Einzahlung'

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine ('die'). Think of other examples like die Rechnung (the bill), die Buchung (the booking). The -ung ending signals die Einzahlung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of 'Ein-' as 'in' and '-zahlung' related to 'paying' or 'number' (Zahl). So, an Ein-zahl-ung is the process ('-ung') of 'paying in' money into an account.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Terms

⚠️ Similar but potentially confusing words

• Zahlung: Payment - general term, can be incoming or outgoing.
• Überweisung: Bank transfer - transfer between accounts, not a physical deposit.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Geldautomat schlechte Laune?
(Why is the ATM in a bad mood?)

Weil er ständig nur Einzahlungen sieht, aber nie etwas Schönes kaufen kann!
(Because it only ever sees deposits but can never buy anything nice!)

📜 Poem about 'Einzahlung'

Das Sparschwein platzt, die Münzen rollen,
(The piggy bank bursts, the coins roll,)
zur Bank damit, das ist mein Wollen.
(Off to the bank, that is my goal.)
Am Schalter steh' ich, froh und heiter,
(At the counter I stand, happy and bright,)
"Eine Einzahlung, bitte!", sag ich weiter.
("A deposit, please!", I say forthright.)
Der Schein wird glatt, das Geld gezählt,
(The bill is smoothed, the money counted,)
auf meinem Konto ist's vermählt.
(On my account, it's now mounted.)
Die Summe wächst, ein schönes Plus,
(The sum grows, a nice plus,)
dank dieser Einzahlung, welch Genuss!
(Thanks to this deposit, what a joyous fuss!)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich mach dein Konto dicker,
(I make your account fatter,)
bin das Gegenteil vom Klicker,
(I'm the opposite of the clicker,)
der Geld vom Konto zieht geschwind.
(That quickly pulls money from the account.)
Bringst du mir Bares oder Schecks,
(If you bring me cash or checks,)
vermehre ich dein Guthaben flugs.
(I swiftly increase your balance next.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?
... Die Einzahlung / The Deposit

🧩 Word Components

The word 'Einzahlung' is composed of:

• ein-: Prefix indicating 'in' or 'into'.
• zahlen: The verb 'to pay' or 'to count'.
• -ung: Suffix used to form feminine nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or its result.

So, literally: the process of 'paying in'.