die  Nachnahme

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈnaːxˌnaːmə/

📦 What does 'die Nachnahme' mean?

'Die Nachnahme' is a payment and shipping method in German-speaking countries, equivalent to 'Cash on Delivery' (COD) or 'Collect on Delivery'. It means that the payment for goods is made only upon their delivery or handover. The recipient pays the outstanding amount directly to the delivery person (e.g., postal carrier or courier) before receiving the package.

So, it's essentially 'payment upon delivery'. The term is composed of 'nach' (meaning temporally after, upon receipt) and 'Nahme' (from the verb 'nehmen' - to take).

⚠️ Attention: Using 'die Nachnahme' usually involves additional fees ('Nachnahmegebühren'), which often have to be paid by the recipient.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar Deep Dive: 'die Nachnahme'

'Nachnahme' is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

In a business context, 'Die Nachnahme' is normally only used in the singular, as it refers to a specific shipping method. The plural form 'die Nachnahmen' is grammatically possible but very uncommon. If used, it refers to multiple individual COD shipments or transactions.

Example Sentences

1. Der Onlineshop bietet auch den Versand per Nachnahme an.
   (The online shop also offers shipping via Cash on Delivery.)
2. Die Gebühr für die Nachnahme beträgt zusätzlich 5 Euro.
   (The fee for Cash on Delivery is an additional 5 Euros.)
3. Ich habe das Paket per Nachnahme bestellt und musste beim Postboten bezahlen.
   (I ordered the package via Cash on Delivery and had to pay the mail carrier.)
4. Bei Zahlung per Nachnahme erhält der Verkäufer sein Geld erst nach erfolgreicher Zustellung.
   (With payment via Cash on Delivery, the seller only receives their money after successful delivery.)

💡 Usage: When to use 'die Nachnahme'?

'Die Nachnahme' is often used in the following situations:

• Uncertainty with online purchases: Buyers want to pay only when they actually receive the goods, especially with unfamiliar shops.
• No online payment methods: People without credit cards or online banking access can still order online this way.
• Potentially faster shipping (sometimes): Some sellers ship faster with Nachnahme because they don't have to wait for payment confirmation (although they receive the money later).

Comparison with other payment methods:

• Vorkasse/Vorauszahlung (Prepayment): The opposite of Nachnahme. The buyer pays in advance before the goods are shipped.
• Rechnungskauf (Purchase on account): The buyer receives the goods and an invoice, which they must pay within a specified period. Similar to Nachnahme regarding when the seller receives the money, but the buyer doesn't pay directly upon handover.

The use of Nachnahme is declining in Germany and Austria as online payment methods like PayPal, credit card, or Sofortüberweisung become more popular and often don't incur extra costs.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Nachnahme'

Article Mnemonic: Imagine the delivery person (often stereotypically female in grammar examples, like die Postbotin) saying: "You must pay nach (after) you nahme (take) die package!" – It’s die Nachnahme.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think "Nach (after) nahme (taking)": First, you take the package, then immediately after, you give the money. That's Nachnahme (Cash on Delivery).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Postbote: "Haben Sie das Geld für die Nachnahme passend?"
Antwortet der Kunde: "Nein, aber das Paket passt hoffentlich!" 😂

(Translation: The mail carrier asks: "Do you have the exact change for the COD?" (passend = fitting/exact change)
The customer replies: "No, but hopefully the package fits!" (passt = fits))

✍️ Poem about 'Nachnahme'

Der Postbote klingelt, steht vor der Tür,
mit einem Paket, das gehört nun dir.
Doch halt, bevor du's nehmen kannst,
gib ihm das Geld, sonst gibt's Verdruss und Schwank.
Die Nachnahme, so heißt das Spiel,
erst Cash, dann Ware, das ist das Ziel!

(Translation:
The mail carrier rings, stands at the door,
with a package, that now belongs to you.
But wait, before you can take it,
give him the money, or there'll be annoyance and fuss.
Die Nachnahme, that's the name of the game,
first cash, then goods, that is the aim!)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Weg, Ware zu erhalten,
doch musst du erst den Geldbeutel entfalten.
Der Bote bringt's, du gibst ihm Geld,
bevor das Paket in deine Hände fällt.

Was bin ich?
(Auflösung: die Nachnahme)

(Translation:
I am a way to receive goods,
but first, you must unfold your wallet.
The messenger brings it, you give him money,
before the package falls into your hands.

What am I?
Resolution: die Nachnahme (Cash on Delivery))

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word 'Nachnahme' is a nominalization (making a noun) of the process of 'nehmen' (taking) something (in this case, money) 'nach' (after) delivery. It combines:

• nach: Preposition/adverb, here meaning 'temporally following'.
• Nahme: Nominalized form of 'nehmen' (to take).

Fees (Gebühren):

The cost for a Nachnahme shipment usually consists of two parts:

1. Nachnahmeentgelt: (COD fee) Paid by the sender, often passed on to the recipient.
2. Übermittlungsentgelt: (Transmission fee / Delivery fee) Paid by the recipient directly to the delivery person upon handover.

These fees can vary depending on the provider (e.g., Deutsche Post DHL, Hermes).