Rechnung
/ˈʁɛçnʊŋ(k)/feminine
The English word bill translates to German as Rechnung.
Rechnung is a formal word for bill used in restaurants or shops. In business or financial transactions, the word Beleg can also be used to refer to a bill or a receipt. If you need to say you are paying or settling a bill in a formal or business context, you can use the phrase die Rechnung begleichen.
Meaning: invoice (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Rechnung is the standard word for a commercial invoice or a bill in a restaurant, it is not used for a 'bill' in the sense of a banknote (which is Geldschein) or a political bill (which is Gesetzentwurf).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Rechnung is feminine, so it takes the feminine article die.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʁɛçnʊŋ(k)/
Did you know?
- The word Rechnung is used in the idiom ohne Rechnung, which means that something happened without taking a certain factor into account.
- In Germany, it is common for a waiter to bring the Rechnung to the table without being asked once they see a guest looking around or making a specific gesture.
- The word Rechnung shares a common ancestor with the English word 'reckoning', though in modern English 'reckoning' is rarely used to describe a commercial invoice.
Examples in context
- Hier ist die Rechnung.Here is your bill.This sentence is useful for showing how to present a bill using Rechnung.Tatoeba #1495935 by Esperantostern, translation #64716 by CK
- Schick mir die Rechnung.Send the bill to me.This sentence shows how to ask someone to send a bill using Rechnung.Tatoeba #3407401 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3396447 by CK
- Schick mir die Rechnung!Send me the bill.This sentence shows how to command someone to send a bill using Rechnung.Tatoeba #3564221 by brauchinet, translation #3563948 by CK
- Entschuldigung, könnten Sie mir bitte die Rechnung bringen?Excuse me, could you bring me the bill, please?
- Können Sie mir bitte einen Beleg für diese Ausgaben ausstellen?Can you please issue me a receipt for these expenses?
- Kannst du mir bitte die Rechnung bringen?Can you bring me the bill, please?
- Zahlen bitte! Wir würden gerne gehen.Pay, please! We would like to leave.
- Guten Abend! Könnte ich bitte die Rechnung bekommen? Danke!Good evening! Could I please have the bill? Thank you!
- 149 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Julia are finishing their meal at a restaurant.
- JulianWir möchten jetzt bitte die Rechnung.We would like the bill now, please.
- JuliaIch bringe Ihnen die Rechnung sofort.I will bring you the bill immediately.
- JulianKann ich die Rechnung mit Karte bezahlen?Can I pay the bill with a card?
- JuliaJa, das ist kein Problem.Yes, that is no problem.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bill” translations and entries Rechnung, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Rechnung, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
