Bank
/baŋk/feminine
The German word for the financial institution bank is Bank.
Meaning: institution (noun)
Which one should you use?
While the word Bank refers to a financial institution, it can also mean a bench (a piece of furniture for sitting) depending on the context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Bank is Banken. In the dative case, such as when used after prepositions like zu or in, the word becomes der Bank.
How do you pronounce it?
/baŋk/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may be confused because in German, Bank refers to both a financial institution and a bench, whereas in English, a 'bank' is only a financial institution or a river edge.
Did you know?
- If you describe a 'bank bankruptcy' in German using Bankrott, you are using a term that historically referred to the physical breaking of a money changer's bench.
- German has a specific term Sparkasse, which translates to 'savings chest' or 'savings box', often used instead of the general word Bank for local savings banks.
- Early money changers in Europe operated from physical benches, which is why the word for furniture and the word for the financial institution became identical in German.
Examples in context
- Er ging zur Bank.He went to the bank.This sentence shows someone going to the Bank.Tatoeba #7961882 by wolfgangth, translation #7955259 by deniko
- Tom muss zur Bank.Tom has to go to the bank.This sentence expresses the necessity of going to the Bank.Tatoeba #1944527 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1025270 by CK
- Er ging in die Bank.He went into the bank.This sentence describes entering the Bank.Tatoeba #5823556 by dasbeispielholz, translation #295557 by CK
- Ich werde zur Bank gehen, um mein Konto zu eröffnen.I will go to the bank to open my account.
- Mein Geldinstitut bietet gute Zinssätze für Kredite.My financial institution offers good interest rates for loans.
- Ein Kreditinstitut kann Ihnen bei der Finanzierung Ihres Eigenheims helfen.A credit institution can assist you in financing your own home.
- Kannst du mir sagen, wo es hier einen Geldautomaten gibt?Can you tell me where there is an ATM around here?
- 311 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Laura are walking through the city center.
- MaximilianWo ist die nächste Bank?Where is the nearest bank?
- LauraDie Bank ist gleich um die Ecke.The bank is just around the corner.
- MaximilianMuss ich heute noch zur Bank?Do I still need to go to the bank today?
- LauraJa, wir müssen zur Bank gehen.Yes, we have to go to the bank.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bank” translations and entries Bank, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
