die  Kostenerstattung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkɔstn̩ʔɛɐ̯ˌʃtatʊŋ/

💰 What does "die Kostenerstattung" mean?

The German noun die Kostenerstattung refers to the process of repaying someone for expenses they have previously incurred. It translates directly to cost reimbursement or refund of expenses.

Typical contexts include:

• Employers: Reimbursing employees for travel costs (Reisekosten) or other work-related expenses (beruflich bedingte Auslagen).
• Health insurance companies (Krankenkassen): Reimbursing costs for medical treatments, medications, or aids.
• Insurance companies (Versicherungen): Reimbursing costs related to damages after an insured event.
• Organizers/Companies: Refunding ticket prices if an event is cancelled.

It is always die Kostenerstattung because the word ends in "-ung", which typically indicates feminine nouns in German.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Kostenerstattung

The noun "Kostenerstattung" is feminine. Therefore, the article is always "die". It is mostly used in the singular.

Declension (Singular)

Declension (Plural)

The plural "die Kostenerstattungen" is grammatically correct but used less frequently. People usually speak more generally of "Kostenerstattungen" (reimbursements) or specific reimbursement processes.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Kostenerstattung für die Dienstreise erfolgte prompt.
   (The cost reimbursement for the business trip was made promptly.)
2. Ich habe einen Antrag auf Kostenerstattung bei meiner Krankenkasse eingereicht.
   (I submitted an application for cost reimbursement to my health insurance.)
3. Die Bedingungen für eine Kostenerstattung sind im Vertrag festgelegt.
   (The conditions for a cost reimbursement are stipulated in the contract.)
4. Nach der Stornierung warten wir auf die Kostenerstattung.
   (After the cancellation, we are waiting for the cost reimbursement.)

🔄 When and how to use "Kostenerstattung"?

"Kostenerstattung" is a formal term primarily used in written communication or official contexts, such as:

• Applications and forms: Antrag auf Kostenerstattung (Application for cost reimbursement).
• Contracts and terms & conditions: Regelungen zur Kostenerstattung (Regulations concerning cost reimbursement).
• Statements and invoices: Nachweis für die Kostenerstattung (Proof for cost reimbursement).
• Official letters (authorities, insurance): Bescheid über Kostenerstattung (Notification regarding cost reimbursement).

In spoken language, people often say more simply, "Ich bekomme die Kosten zurück" (I'll get the costs back) or "Die Firma erstattet mir die Auslagen" (The company reimburses my expenses).

Important compounds:

• Kostenerstattungsantrag: The form or letter used to apply for reimbursement.
• Kostenerstattungsprinzip: A principle (e.g., in private health insurance) where the insured person pays first and gets reimbursed later.

⚠️ Distinction: Do not confuse with Rabatt (discount before purchase) or Skonto (discount for prompt payment).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article 'die': Remember that German nouns ending in "-ung" are almost always feminine (die), like die Rechnung (the bill) or die Versicherung (the insurance). Imagine the (die) administration department processing the (die) Kostenerstattung.

For the meaning: Break down the word: Kosten (costs) + Erstattung (reimbursement/return). It's about getting costs returned. Think: You get your costs back in a station wagon - Kosten-Er-stattung.

🔄 Related and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Similar but different terms:

• Schadensersatz: (Damages / Compensation for loss) Compensation for incurred damage, not just costs.
• Aufwandsentschädigung: (Expense allowance) Lump sum payment for effort/expenses, not necessarily exact cost coverage.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie schon Ihre Reisekostenabrechnung für die Dienstreise nach Nirgendwo eingereicht?" Sagt der Mitarbeiter: "Nein, Chef, ich warte noch auf die Kostenerstattung für die Lupe, die ich brauche, um Nirgendwo auf der Landkarte zu finden!"

English: The boss asks the new employee: "Have you submitted your expense report for the business trip to Nowhere yet?" The employee replies: "No, boss, I'm still waiting for the cost reimbursement for the magnifying glass I need to find Nowhere on the map!"

📜 Poem about Cost Reimbursement

German:
Die Rechnung kam, die Kasse leer,
die Ausgab' fiel zuerst so schwer.
Doch Formular, Beleg dabei,
per Post zur Firma, eins, zwei, drei.

Dann hoffen, warten, Tag für Tag,
ob die Finanz das Geld wohl mag?
Und endlich, ja, welch Freudenklang,
die Kostenerstattung kam entlang!

English Translation:
The bill arrived, the wallet bare,
The expense felt heavy, hard to bear.
But form and receipt, sent away,
To the company's mail, hip hip hooray.

Then hoping, waiting, day by day,
Will finance send the funds my way?
At last, oh yes, what joyful sound,
The cost reimbursement could be found!

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin kein Geschenk, doch bringe Geld zurück.
Ich folge Ausgaben, Stück für Stück.
Ob Reise, Arztbesuch, ob groß, ob klein,
wer mich beantragt, will nicht auf Kosten sitzenbleib'n.

Wer bin ich?

English:
I am no gift, yet I bring money back.
I follow expenses, on the right track.
For travel, doctor's visits, large or small,
Who applies for me, wants to recoup costs from their fall.

What am I?

Solution: die Kostenerstattung (cost reimbursement)

🧩 Additional Information

Word Composition:

The word "Kostenerstattung" is a compound noun, formed from:

• Kosten (plural of 'die Kosten' = costs, expenses, charges)
• Erstattung (noun form of the verb 'erstatten' = to reimburse, to refund, to repay)

Typical Phrases:

• einen Antrag auf Kostenerstattung stellen - to file an application for cost reimbursement
• Anspruch auf Kostenerstattung haben - to be entitled to cost reimbursement
• die Kostenerstattung erfolgt innerhalb von X Tagen - the cost reimbursement will be made within X days
• um Kostenerstattung bitten - to request cost reimbursement