die  Quittung

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkvɪtʊŋ/

🧾 What exactly is a Quittung?

The word Quittung (feminine, article: die) is a German term for a written document confirming the receipt of a service, usually a sum of money. It serves as proof that a payment has been made or that goods or services have been handed over. Essentially, it's a receipt or acknowledgment of receipt.

Typically, a Quittung contains information such as:

• The name of the payer and the recipient (Zahler und Empfänger)
• The amount paid (Betrag), often in numbers and words
• The reason for payment (Zahlungsgrund), e.g., purchased goods, service rendered
• The date and place of issue (Datum und Ort)
• The signature of the recipient (Unterschrift des Empfängers)

⚠️ A Quittung is not the same as a Rechnung (invoice), although they are often related. An invoice (Rechnung) represents a demand for payment, while a receipt (Quittung) confirms that this demand (or part of it) has been paid.

Article rules for der, die, and das

The Grammar of die Quittung 🧐

The word "Quittung" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.

Declension (Deklination):

Example Sentences (Beispielsätze):

1. Bitte geben Sie mir eine Quittung für diese Zahlung.
   (Please give me a receipt for this payment.)
2. Heben Sie alle Quittungen für die Steuererklärung gut auf.
   (Keep all receipts safe for the tax return.)
3. Auf der Quittung fehlte die Unterschrift des Verkäufers.
   (The seller's signature was missing on the receipt.)
4. Ohne Quittung können wir die Ware leider nicht umtauschen.
   (Unfortunately, we cannot exchange the goods without a receipt.)

When do you need a Quittung? 🤔

A Quittung is used in many everyday situations, especially involving money or proving transactions:

• Shopping (Beim Einkaufen): As proof of purchase for warranty claims or exchanges. The term Kassenbon (till receipt) is often used here, which is a type of Quittung.
• Services (Bei Dienstleistungen): As confirmation that a service has been paid for (e.g., craftsman, tutoring).
• Cash Payments (Bei Barzahlungen): Especially important for cash payments, as there is no automatic proof like with a bank transfer.
• Accounting/Taxes (Für die Buchhaltung/Steuer): Businesses and self-employed individuals need receipts as proof of their expenses.
• Rent Payments (Bei Mietzahlungen): Tenants can request a Quittung for rent or deposit payments.

Distinction from similar terms:

• Rechnung (Invoice): A detailed statement requesting payment for goods or services. It demands payment.
• Beleg (Voucher/Document): A more general term for any document proving a business transaction (e.g., invoice, delivery note, receipt). A Quittung is therefore a specific type of Beleg.
• Kassenbon (Till Receipt): A machine-printed receipt from a cash register, typical in retail.

Common phrases are: "Kann ich bitte eine Quittung haben?" (Can I please have a receipt?) or "Ich brauche eine Quittung dafür." (I need a receipt for that.)

Memory Aids for die Quittung 🧠

Remembering the Article (die):

Think of common feminine endings in German: -ung, -heit, -keit, -schaft. Since Quittung ends in -ung, it's feminine → die Quittung. Like die Rechnung (the invoice), die Bestätigung (the confirmation).

Remembering the Meaning (receipt):

When you pay a debt, you can say you've "quit" the debt, you're free of it. The Quittung is the proof that you've "quit" that specific obligation by paying. It confirms you're "quits".

Similar and Opposite Terms 🔄

Potential for Confusion:

• Rechnung (Invoice): As mentioned above, this is the request for payment, not the confirmation. You pay a Rechnung and receive a Quittung (or payment confirmation on the invoice itself).

A Little Chuckle 😄

Warum hat der Steuerberater immer einen Block Quittungen dabei?
(Why does the tax advisor always carry a pad of receipts?)

Damit er für jeden Witz eine Empfangsbestätigung ausstellen kann!
(So he can issue an acknowledgment of receipt for every joke!)

Receipt Rap 🎤

Euro, Cent, Betrag notiert,
(Euros, cents, amount noted down,)
die Zahlung ist jetzt quittiert.
(The payment is now receipted/acknowledged.)
Ein Zettel klein, doch wichtig sehr,
(A small piece of paper, but very important,)
die Quittung muss als Nachweis her.
(The receipt must serve as proof.)
Für Umtausch, Garantie, fürs Amt,
(For exchange, warranty, for the authorities,)
damit die Buchung stimmt gesamt.
(So that the booking/entry is correct overall.)
Also heb sie auf, wirf sie nicht fort,
(So keep it, don't throw it away,)
die Quittung ist ein gold'ner Hort!
(The receipt is a golden treasure!)

Little Riddle 🤔

Ich bin ein Stück Papier, ganz klein,
(I am a piece of paper, very small,)
doch ohne mich kaufst du nichts Richtiges ein (für den Nachweis).
(But without me, you don't buy anything properly (for proof).)
Ich zeige dir, was, wann, wie viel,
(I show you what, when, how much,)
und bin der Zahlung letztes Ziel.
(And am the payment's final goal.)
Wer Geld empfängt, der gibt mich raus,
(Whoever receives money, gives me out,)
sonst gibt es später oft Applaus... äh, Ärger im Haus.
(Otherwise, there's often applause... er, trouble at home later.)

Was bin ich? (What am I?)

Solution: Die Quittung (The receipt)

Interesting Tidbits 💡

Word Origin (Wortherkunft): The word "Quittung" derives from the adjective "quitt", which originally comes from the Latin "quietus" (calm, freed). When you have settled a debt, you are "quitt" (quits), meaning freed from it. The Quittung confirms this state.

Legal Requirements (Gesetzliche Anforderungen): Depending on the context, there are legal minimum requirements for the content of a Quittung (e.g., for tax purposes in Germany). A simple handwritten note may not always suffice.

Digitalization (Digitalisierung): Increasingly, there are also digital receipts (digitale Quittungen) sent via email or stored in customer accounts. This saves paper and simplifies archiving.