die  Ratenzahlung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʁaːtn̩ˌʦaːlʊŋ/

💰 What does 'die Ratenzahlung' mean?

Die Ratenzahlung describes a payment modality where the total amount of a debt is not paid at once, but in several partial amounts (the Raten or installments) over a defined period. It's a form of credit or deferred payment.

So, you agree to pay a purchase price or invoice amount not immediately in full, but in regular, usually monthly, partial payments. This facilitates the purchase of more expensive products or services.

Example: A TV costs €1200. You agree to Ratenzahlung over 12 months. Then you pay €100 each month (plus potential interest).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Focus: die Ratenzahlung

The word 'Ratenzahlung' is a feminine noun, so the correct article is 'die'. This is typical for German nouns ending in '-ung'.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural is 'die Ratenzahlungen'. It's used less frequently, typically when referring to multiple separate installment payment agreements.

💡 Example Sentences:

1. Der Händler bietet die Ratenzahlung für alle größeren Anschaffungen an.
   (The retailer offers installment payment for all larger purchases. - Accusative Singular)
2. Die genauen Bedingungen der Ratenzahlung stehen im Kleingedruckten.
   (The exact conditions of the installment payment are in the fine print. - Genitive Singular)
3. Mit der Ratenzahlung wird der Kauf des Laptops erschwinglich.
   (With the installment payment, buying the laptop becomes affordable. - Dative Singular)
4. Mehrere Kunden haben unterschiedliche Ratenzahlungen vereinbart.
   (Several customers have agreed on different installment plans. - Accusative Plural)

🛒 When and how is 'Ratenzahlung' used?

'Die Ratenzahlung' is a common term in business (Geschäftsleben) and private consumption (privater Konsum). It comes up whenever the payment of goods or services is discussed, especially when the cost shouldn't or can't be paid all at once.

• Typical Use Cases: Buying furniture (Möbel), electronics (Handy, Laptop, Fernseher), cars (Autos), household appliances (Haushaltsgeräte), sometimes also travel (Reisen) or major repairs (größere Reparaturen).
• Context: Offers for Ratenzahlung are often found directly at the retailer (e.g., "0%-Finanzierung" as a synonym for interest-free installment payment) or through credit institutions (Kreditinstitute).
• Contrast: The clear opposite is Einmalzahlung (lump-sum payment) or Sofortzahlung (immediate payment). A Darlehen (loan) or Kredit (credit) is a broader term; Ratenzahlung is often the result of consumer credit.

⚠️ Important: With a Ratenzahlung, always pay attention to the total cost (Gesamtkosten), as interest (Zinsen, Zinssatz = interest rate) or processing fees (Bearbeitungsgebühren) can often increase the original price.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Ratenzahlung'

Article Mnemonic (die): Almost all German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die). Think of other common '-ung' words like die Rechnung (the invoice), die Wohnung (the apartment), die Bedeutung (the meaning)... and therefore also die Ratenzahlung.

Meaning Mnemonic (Payment in parts): Imagine paying not all at once, but at a certain 'Rate' (Rate = installment/rate). Each payment (Zahlung) is made at this 'Rate'. Put them together: Rate + Zahlung = Ratenzahlung.

↔️ Similar and Opposite Terms

😄 A Little Financial Joke

German: Kunde zum Verkäufer: "Ich würde den Fernseher gerne auf Raten kaufen." Verkäufer: "Kein Problem! Wann können Sie denn die erste Rate zahlen?" Kunde: "Sobald Sie mir verraten, wie hoch die Raten sind!"

English: Customer to salesperson: "I'd like to buy the TV on installments (auf Raten)." Salesperson: "No problem! When can you pay the first installment (Rate)?" Customer: "As soon as you tell me how much the installments are!"

📜 A Poem about Paying in Installments

German:
Ein Wunsch, so teuer, unerreichbar schien,
Das Konto leer, wohin damit nur fliehn?
Doch halt, der Händler schmunzelt klug,
Und bietet an, mit schlauem Zug:
Die Ratenzahlung, fein und klein,
So zieht das Glück ins Heim bald ein.
Statt großer Summe, Schreck und Not,
Zahlt man in Raten, wie's Gebot.
Monat für Monat, Jahr für Jahr,
Wird so der Traum ganz einfach wahr.

English:
A wish so dear, seemed out of reach,
The bank account, a sandy beach.
But wait, the merchant smiles with grace,
And offers, setting a new pace:
Installment pay (die Ratenzahlung), neat and small,
So happiness enters the hall.
Instead of one large sum, causing fright,
You pay in parts, both day and night (well, monthly).
Month by month, and year by year,
The dream comes true, banishing fear.

❓ Who am I? A Payment Riddle

German:
Ich mache Großes für dich klein,
damit der Kauf kann leichter sein.
Statt alles auf einmal zu geben,
darfst du in Teilen an mir kleben.
Monatlich fließt ein Betrag,
bis nichts mehr offen ist am Tag.

Wie heißt die Zahlung, Schritt für Schritt?

English:
I make big things small for you,
To make the purchase easy to pursue.
Instead of giving all at once you see,
You stick to paying parts of me.
A sum flows monthly, clear and bright,
Until the debt is settled right.

What is this payment, bit by bit?

Answer: die Ratenzahlung

🧩 Word Components and More

The word 'Ratenzahlung' is a typical German compound noun (Kompositum):

• Die Rate (noun, feminine): Means 'installment', 'partial payment' here. The word comes from Latin rata (pars) = 'calculated part'.
• Die Zahlung (noun, feminine): Means 'the payment', 'settlement of a monetary debt'. Derived from the verb zahlen (to pay).

So, put together, it precisely describes a 'payment in (calculated) parts' or 'installment payment'.

Good to know: The attractiveness of Ratenzahlung offers often depends heavily on the interest rate (Zinssatz). A "0%-Finanzierung" means an interest-free installment plan.