die
Geldbuße
💰 What exactly is a Geldbuße?
The German word die Geldbuße refers to a fine or a monetary penalty. It's typically imposed for minor regulatory offenses (Ordnungswidrigkeiten), as opposed to Geldstrafen (monetary penalties/fines in a criminal context), which are often used for criminal offenses (Straftaten).
It is a feminine noun, so the definite article is always die.
- Meaning: Financial sanction for an infraction.
- Context: Often encountered in relation to traffic violations (e.g., parking illegally - Falschparken, speeding - Geschwindigkeitsüberschreitung), but also for other minor offenses (e.g., noise nuisance - Lärmbelästigung, failure to register residence - Verstöße gegen Meldepflichten).
🚨 Don't confuse it with die Geldstrafe, which is imposed under criminal law for misdemeanors and felonies and is often higher.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar of die Geldbuße in Detail
The word „Geldbuße“ is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Geldbuße |
| Genitive | der | Geldbuße |
| Dative | der | Geldbuße |
| Accusative | die | Geldbuße |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Geldbußen |
| Genitive | der | Geldbußen |
| Dative | den | Geldbußen |
| Accusative | die | Geldbußen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Wegen Falschparkens erhielt er eine Geldbuße von 30 Euro.
(He received a fine of 30 euros for parking illegally.) - Die Höhe der Geldbuße richtet sich nach der Schwere des Verstoßes.
(The amount of the fine depends on the severity of the violation.) - Mit der Geldbuße war die Sache erledigt.
(The matter was settled with the fine.) - Er musste mehrere Geldbußen bezahlen, weil er zu schnell gefahren war.
(He had to pay several fines because he had been speeding.)
💡 Everyday Application
The term Geldbuße is mainly used in official and legal contexts. You often encounter it in notices from authorities (Bußgeldbescheid).
- Typical situations: Traffic violations, minor administrative offenses, violations of local statutes.
- Differentiation: A Geldbuße punishes a regulatory offense (Ordnungswidrigkeit). A Geldstrafe, on the other hand, is a sanction for a criminal offense (Straftat) and is often calculated in daily rates based on income. A Gebühr (fee) is a payment for a specific government service (e.g., issuing a passport).
- Colloquial use: In everyday language, people often simply say „Strafe“ (penalty/punishment) or „Knöllchen“ (ticket, especially for parking violations), even if it is formally a Geldbuße.
🧠 Mnemonics for Geldbuße
Article Mnemonic: Think of 'fine' and 'penalty' - these official notices often come from 'die Behörde' (the authority, feminine). So it's 'die Geldbuße'.
Meaning Mnemonic: It's composed of Geld (money) and Buße (penance, atonement). So, it's money you pay as penance for a minor wrongdoing - a fine.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Bußgeld: Very common synonym, often used in the official notice (Bußgeldbescheid).
- Ordnungsgeld: Similar, often used for violations against court or administrative orders.
- Verwarnungsgeld: A smaller fine (often up to €55) that can be accepted with immediate payment to avoid formal fine proceedings.
- Knöllchen (colloquial): Specifically for parking tickets.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Belohnung: Reward (positive consequence).
- Freispruch: Acquittal (finding of innocence).
- Erlass: Remission/waiver (cancellation of a payment obligation).
- Gutschrift: Credit note (positive monetary amount).
⚠️ Risk of Confusion
As mentioned, distinguish die Geldbuße (for regulatory offenses) from die Geldstrafe (for criminal offenses). Also, Gebühren (fees for services) or Beiträge (contributions, e.g., social security) are not fines.
😄 A Little Joke
Judge asks the defendant: "Bekennen Sie sich schuldig, die Parkuhr nicht gefüttert zu haben?"
(Do you plead guilty to not feeding the parking meter?)
Defendant answers: "Ja, Herr Richter, aber wie soll ich das arme Ding denn füttern? Es hat ja nicht mal einen Mund!"
(Yes, Your Honor, but how am I supposed to feed the poor thing? It doesn't even have a mouth!)
Judge: "Das macht dann 20 Euro Geldbuße für Missachtung der Fütterungszeiten!"
(That'll be a 20 euro fine for disregarding feeding times!)
📜 A Short Poem
Zu schnell gefahren, nicht bedacht,
Ein Blitz hat kurz die Nacht durchfacht.
Ein Brief kommt an, ganz offiziell,
Die Geldbuße, die schmerzt sehr schnell.
Das Portemonnaie wird etwas leer,
Beim nächsten Mal fahr' ich nicht mehr so sehr!
--- English Translation ---
Drove too fast, without a thought,
A flash briefly pierced the night's dark spot.
A letter arrives, official mail,
The fine, it hurts without fail.
The wallet gets a little lighter,
Next time I'll drive a bit more righter!
🧩 Who am I?
Ich bin kein Geschenk, doch koste Geld.
Man kriegt mich, wenn man Regeln prellt.
Im Straßenverkehr bin ich bekannt,
Werd' oft per Brief ins Haus gesandt.
Ich ahnde nur, was nicht so schlimm,
Bin eine Strafe, doch nur "slim".
--- English Translation & Clues ---
I'm not a gift, but I cost money.
You get me when you break the rules, honey.
In traffic, I'm a common sight,
Often sent by post, day or night.
I only punish minor slips,
A penalty, but just small bits.
Answer: Die Geldbuße (the fine/penalty)
✨ More Information
Word Composition:
The word "Geldbuße" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Geld: Meaning 'money'.
- Buße: Derived from Old High German "buoza" (improvement, satisfaction, help). It signifies an act of atonement or making amends for misconduct.
The combination thus clearly indicates that it is an atonement/amends made through a payment of money.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Geldbuße?
The noun „Geldbuße“ is feminine. The correct article is die: die Geldbuße (singular) and die Geldbußen (plural). It refers to a financial penalty or fine, typically for minor regulatory offenses.
