die  Überweisung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˌyːbɐˈvaɪzʊŋ/

💰🩺 What does 'die Überweisung' mean?

The German word die Überweisung has two primary meanings:

1. In banking: It refers to the transfer of money from one bank account to another. This is the most common meaning in daily life. Example: eine SEPA-Überweisung tätigen (to make a SEPA transfer).
2. In medicine: It means a written referral from a doctor (usually a general practitioner) for a patient to see a specialist or go to a hospital. Example: Der Hausarzt stellt eine Überweisung zum Kardiologen aus (The GP issues a referral to the cardiologist).

Although the word is the same, the meaning is usually clear from the context.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Insights: Die Überweisung

The noun 'Überweisung' is feminine. Therefore, the article is always 'die'.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

• Ich muss heute noch die Überweisung für die Miete tätigen.
  (I still have to make the transfer for the rent today.) [Banking]
• Bitte bringen Sie zur Untersuchung die Überweisung vom Hausarzt mit.
  (Please bring the referral from your GP to the examination.) [Medical]
• Die Bank bestätigt den Eingang der Überweisung.
  (The bank confirms receipt of the transfer.) [Banking]
• Ohne Überweisung kann der Facharzt Sie nicht behandeln.
  (The specialist cannot treat you without a referral.) [Medical]
• Mehrere Überweisungen gingen heute von meinem Konto ab.
  (Several transfers were debited from my account today.) [Banking]

💡 Everyday Usage

The use of 'die Überweisung' depends on the context:

• In a banking context, you talk about 'eine Überweisung tätigen/machen/ausführen' (to make/execute a transfer), 'eine Überweisung erhalten/bekommen' (to receive a transfer), or 'eine Online-Überweisung' (an online transfer). Related terms are Dauerauftrag (standing order for regular transfers) or Lastschrift (direct debit).
• In a medical context, you get 'eine Überweisung vom Arzt' (a referral from the doctor), need 'eine Überweisung zum Facharzt' (a referral to a specialist), or 'die Überweisung vorlegen' (present the referral). Here, it's a document, often a specific form ('Überweisungsschein'). Confusion with Verweisung (e.g., expulsion from school) is unlikely, but Zuweisung (e.g., assignment of a patient to a hospital bed) is similar.

🚨 Pay attention to the context to avoid misunderstandings, although this rarely happens.

🧠 Mnemonics for Überweisung

Article Mnemonic: Think of words ending in '-ung' in German - they are almost always feminine (die). Die Rechnung (the bill), die Buchung (the booking), die Überweisung (the transfer/referral). The '-ung' ending is your clue for die.

Meaning Mnemonic: 'Über' means over or across, and 'weisen' means to show or to direct. So, 'Überweisung' directs something (money or a patient) over to another place (another account or another doctor).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Misleading Words

• Verweisung: Can also mean a reprimand or expulsion (e.g., Schulverweis - expulsion from school).
• Anweisung: Means instruction or order (e.g., Arbeitsanweisung - work instruction, Zahlungsanweisung - specific payment order).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Computer eine Überweisung zum Arzt bekommen?
Er hatte einen Virus!

(Why did the computer get a referral to the doctor?
It had a virus!)

📜 Poem about Überweisung

Die Miete ist fällig, die Rechnung auch hier,
Schnell zur Bank-App, das mach' ich mit Pläsir.
IBAN getippt, der Betrag steht schon fest,
Die Überweisung geht raus, hält jedem Test.

Doch auch beim Doktor, bei Schmerz und bei Pein,
Gibt's ein Papierchen, das muss oft sein.
Zum Spezialisten, der kennt sich gut aus,
Die Überweisung führt sicher hinaus.

(The rent is due, the bill is here too,
Quick to the banking app, that's what I gladly do.
IBAN typed in, the amount is set,
The transfer goes out, passes every test.

But also at the doctor's, with aches and with pain,
There's a little paper, often needed again.
To the specialist, who knows their stuff well,
The referral safely guides, the story to tell.)

🧩 Riddle

Ich schicke Geld von A nach B,
Ohne Münze, ohne Weh.
Der Doktor schickt dich mit mir fort,
Zu einem and'ren, wicht'gen Ort.

Was bin ich, mal Schein, mal digital?
Stets feminin, das ist die Wahl!

(I send money from A to B,
Without a coin, hassle-free.
The doctor sends you away with me,
To another important place, you see.

What am I, sometimes paper, sometimes digital?
Always feminine, that choice is critical!)

Solution: die Überweisung

🌐 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word 'Überweisung' is a noun derived from the verb 'überweisen' (to transfer, to refer). It consists of:

• Prefix: über- (indicates direction, transmission)
• Stem: weis- (from the verb 'weisen', meaning to show, direct)
• Suffix: -ung (forms nouns from verbs, usually feminine)

Trivia:

• SEPA: In the Single Euro Payments Area, bank transfers (Überweisungen) are standardized and often free or very cheap.
• Überweisungsschein: The pink slip for a medical referral (ärztliche Überweisung) is a well-known document in the German healthcare system.