die  Rückzahlung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʁʏkˌtsaːlʊŋ/

💰 What does "die Rückzahlung" mean?

Die Rückzahlung (noun, feminine) refers to the act or process of giving back borrowed money or a received benefit. It signifies the settlement of a debt or the reimbursement of an amount.

• Main meaning: The repayment of debts, loans, or advances.
• Other meaning: The refund of overpaid amounts (e.g., Steuererstattung - tax refund) or the return of a received payment for other reasons.

⚠️ Attention: The word is always feminine, hence always die Rückzahlung.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of "die Rückzahlung" in Detail

The noun "Rückzahlung" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Die Rückzahlung des Kredits erfolgt in monatlichen Raten.
   (The repayment of the loan is made in monthly installments.)
2. Wir warten auf die Rückzahlung der zu viel gezahlten Steuern.
   (We are waiting for the refund of the overpaid taxes.)
3. Der Vertrag regelt die Bedingungen für die Rückzahlung.
   (The contract regulates the conditions for the repayment.)
4. Nach mehreren Mahnungen erfolgte endlich die Rückzahlung der Schulden.
   (After several reminders, the repayment of the debts finally took place.)

💡 How to use "die Rückzahlung"?

"Die Rückzahlung" is primarily used in financial, legal, and contractual contexts.

• Kredite & Darlehen (Loans & Credits): The monthly, annual, or one-time repayment of a taken loan or credit.
• Steuern (Taxes): The refund of overpaid taxes by the tax office (Steuerrückzahlung).
• Handel & Dienstleistungen (Trade & Services): The refund for returned goods or services not rendered.
• Verträge (Contracts): Stipulating the terms of a Rückzahlung in contracts.

Comparison: While "Rückzahlung" describes the general paying back of money, "Tilgung" is more specific, often referring to the scheduled reduction of a principal debt (e.g., for loans). "Erstattung" (refund, reimbursement) is often used for the return of expenses or overpaid amounts.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Rückzahlung"

Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die). Think of: Die Rechnung (the bill), die Mahnung (the reminder), die Zahlung (the payment)... and also die Rückzahlung! Associate the ending -ung with the feminine article die.

Meaning Mnemonic: Break down the word: Rück- (back) + Zahlung (payment). It literally means "back-payment" or repayment. Simple!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Rückzahlung

Similar, but potentially misleading words:

• Anzahlung: (down payment) - An initial partial payment when buying something.
• Abzahlung: (installment payment) - Paying in installments, often used synonymously with Tilgung.

😄 A little Joke about Rückzahlung

German: Fragt der Gläubiger den Schuldner: "Wann bekomme ich endlich mein Geld zurück?" Sagt der Schuldner: "Woher soll ich das wissen? Ich bin doch kein Wahrsager!"

English: The creditor asks the debtor: "When will I finally get my money back?" The debtor replies: "How should I know? I'm not a fortune teller!"

📜 Poem about Rückzahlung

German:
Geliehenes Geld, ein schwerer Stein,
die Frist rückt näher, oh wie fein.
Mit Zins und Zinseszins dazu,
kommt die Rückzahlung nun im Nu.
Der Plan steht fest, die Rate klar,
bald ist die Schuld nicht mehr fürwahr.

English:
Borrowed money, a heavy stone,
The deadline nears, oh finely sown.
With interest and compound fees,
The repayment comes now with ease.
The plan is set, the installment clear,
Soon the debt will disappear.

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin das Gegenteil vom Nehmen,
und bringe Gläubigern Bequemen.
Ich mind're Schulden, Stück für Stück,
und bringe ausgeliehnes Geld zurück.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Rückzahlung)

English:
I am the opposite of taking,
And bring creditors comfort making.
I reduce debts, bit by bit,
Bringing borrowed money back, that's it.

What am I? (Answer: die Rückzahlung / repayment)

🧩 Additional Information on Rückzahlung

Word Formation

The word "Rückzahlung" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Rück-: Prefix indicating a movement back or a repetition.
• Zahlung: Noun derived from the verb "zahlen" (to pay).

Context

The term is central to finance, contract law, and tax law. Often, specific terms (deadlines, installment amounts, interest rates) for the Rückzahlung are defined.