die
Vorauszahlung
💰 What exactly is 'die Vorauszahlung'?
Die Vorauszahlung (feminine, article: die) refers to a payment that is made before goods are delivered or a service is rendered. So, it's an advance payment or prepayment.
It often serves as security for the seller or service provider or to cover initial costs. It's common for large orders, rent, or subscriptions.
🚨 Since the word ends in -ung, it's typically feminine (die). There are no other articles or meanings to consider here.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
Numbers, calculations → almost always feminine.
Caution: When verbs are turned into nouns, the result is 'das Addieren', 'das Subtrahieren', 'das Multiplizieren', 'das Dividieren'.
🧐 Grammar Check: 'Die Vorauszahlung' in Detail
The noun „Vorauszahlung“ is feminine.
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Vorauszahlung |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Vorauszahlung |
| Dative (To whom?) | der | Vorauszahlung |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Vorauszahlung |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Vorauszahlungen |
| Genitive | der | Vorauszahlungen |
| Dative | den | Vorauszahlungen |
| Accusative | die | Vorauszahlungen |
Example Sentences
- Für die Ferienwohnung ist eine Vorauszahlung von 30% erforderlich. (An advance payment of 30% is required for the holiday apartment.)
- Der Handwerker bat um eine Vorauszahlung für das Material. (The craftsman asked for a prepayment for the material.)
- Monatliche Vorauszahlungen für Strom sind üblich. (Monthly advance payments for electricity are common.)
- Die Höhe der Vorauszahlung wurde im Vertrag festgelegt. (The amount of the advance payment was stipulated in the contract.)
- Mit der Vorauszahlung sichern Sie sich Ihre Buchung. (With the advance payment, you secure your booking.)
📝 When to use 'Vorauszahlung'?
The term Vorauszahlung is mainly used in business and financial contexts:
- Rental agreements (Mietverträge): Often the first rent or a deposit (Kaution) is due as a Vorauszahlung.
- Services (Dienstleistungen): For large projects (e.g., construction, web design), a Vorauszahlung is often requested to cover initial costs.
- Orders/Online Shopping (Bestellungen): Some retailers require prepayment, especially for custom-made items or expensive products.
- Subscriptions & Contracts (Abonnements & Verträge): Payments for magazines, streaming services, or insurance are often Vorauszahlungen for the upcoming period.
- Travel Bookings (Reisebuchungen): Down payments for flights or hotels are typical Vorauszahlungen.
In contrast to an Anzahlung (down payment), which often represents only a partial amount, a Vorauszahlung can also cover the entire amount paid before the service is rendered.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Vorauszahlung'
- Remembering the Article: Words ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die). Think of die Zahlung (the payment) within Vorauszahlung.
- Remembering the Meaning: The word is composed of voraus (ahead, in advance) and Zahlung (payment). So you pay voraus – before you receive something. Imagine standing vor (in front of) the checkout, needing to zahlen (pay) before taking the goods.
„Think 'pay voraus' - you give the cash before the task!“
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Anzahlung (die): Often a partial amount paid in advance (down payment).
- Vorschuss (der): Money paid before it's due or before a service is rendered (advance); often used in an employment context.
- Abschlagszahlung (die): Installment payment for a service not yet fully completed (common in construction).
- Pränumerandozahlung (die): Technical term for payment at the beginning of a period (e.g., rent).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Nachzahlung (die): Payment after receiving the service or after billing (subsequent payment, additional payment).
- Restzahlung (die): The remaining amount due after a down payment or advance payment (final payment).
- Zahlung bei Lieferung/Leistung: Payment upon delivery/performance (COD - Cash on Delivery equivalent).
- Postnumerandozahlung (die): Technical term for payment at the end of a period.
⚠️ Note: A Kaution (deposit) is also a kind of advance payment, but primarily serves as security and is usually refunded if no damage occurs.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Kunde den Handwerker: „Warum brauchen Sie eine Vorauszahlung?“
Antwortet der Handwerker: „Damit ich mir sicher sein kann, dass Sie am Ende nicht voraus sind – und ich leer ausgehe!“ 😉
Translation:
The customer asks the craftsman: "Why do you need an advance payment (Vorauszahlung)?"
The craftsman replies: "So I can be sure that you're not 'ahead' (voraus also means ahead/gone) in the end – and I end up empty-handed!" 😉
📜 Poem about 'Vorauszahlung'
Bevor das Werk beginnt,
bevor die Ware rinnt,
verlangt der kluge Mann,
die Vorauszahlung dann.
Ein Teil vom Ganzen schon,
als Sicherheit und Lohn.
So weiß er, es geht los,
die Kasse ist nicht bloß.
Translation:
Before the work begins,
before the goods flow in,
the clever man demands,
the advance payment then.
A part of the whole already,
as security and fee steady.
So he knows it's starting now,
the cash box takes a bow.
❓ Riddle
Ich bin ein Geldbetrag, geschickt und klein,
bezahlt, bevor darf etwas bei dir sein.
Ob Miete, Reise oder großer Kauf,
ich komme oft zuerst im Lebenslauf.
Wie heiße ich?
Translation:
I am an amount of money, sent small and neat,
Paid before something can be yours, a treat.
Whether rent, travel, or a purchase grand,
I often come first across the land.
What am I?
Solution: die Vorauszahlung (the advance payment)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition: The word is composed of:
- voraus: Adverb/prefix meaning 'beforehand', 'in advance'.
- Zahlung: Noun (from 'zahlen' - to pay) meaning 'payment', 'amount paid'.
Context: Vorauszahlungen (advance payments) are a crucial part of many contracts and terms and conditions (AGB - Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen). Their amount and due date should always be clearly defined to avoid misunderstandings.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Vorauszahlung?
The German word "Vorauszahlung" is feminine. The correct article is die. Therefore, it is die Vorauszahlung (in the nominative singular), der Vorauszahlung (in the genitive and dative singular), and die Vorauszahlung (in the accusative singular). The plural form is die Vorauszahlungen.