Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bargeld | /ˈbaːɐ̯ɡɛlt/ | neuter |
| Bares | neuter | |
| Cash | /ˈkɛʃ/ | colloquial, neuter |
The primary term for money in the form of notes and coins is Bargeld. If you wish to describe the specific method of paying with cash, you can use the adjective bar, as in bar bezahlen (to pay in cash). For the specific physical items of paper money, you can use Banknoten (banknotes).
Which one should you use?
Bargeld is the standard, neutral term for cash. Bares is often used in the phrase bares Geld or simply Bares to emphasize the physical presence of cash. Additionally, the English loanword Cash is used colloquially in German.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Bargeld is a formal and commonly used word. For formal contexts specifically referring to the act of payment in cash, use Barzahlung. Cash is a colloquial option, and Mäuse is an informal, humorous or playful way to refer to cash among friends.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Bargeld is a neuter mass noun and is typically used in the singular form. To say you are exchanging a check for money, you would use the verb einlösen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbaːɐ̯ɡɛlt/
Did you know?
- German culture prizes the anonymity of Bargeld so highly that it is often discussed in political contexts as a matter of personal liberty and privacy.
- While 'Bargeld' is the standard term, you might hear Germans refer to money as Mäuse, which literally translates to 'mice'.
- The term Bargeld is technically a compound of bar (ready/available) and Geld (money), emphasizing that the money is physically present and not a credit or promise.
Examples in context
- Tom hat kein Bargeld.Tom doesn't have any cash.This sentence shows the use of Bargeld in a negative context.Tatoeba #2694562 by freddy1, translation #1026159 by CK
- Hast du etwas Bargeld?Do you have any cash?This sentence is a question asking about the availability of Bargeld.Tatoeba #3280646 by Manfredo, translation #1886100 by CK
- Hast du Bargeld dabei?Do you have any cash on you?This sentence asks if someone has Bargeld on their person.Tatoeba #8644322 by Melang, translation #6576041 by Eccles17
- Ich habe mehrere Banknoten in meiner Brieftasche.I have several banknotes in my wallet
- Das ist mein Bargeld für die Reise.This is my cash for the trip
- Er hat viel Kohle in seiner Tasche.He has a lot of cash in his pocket
- Ich muss noch Moneten vom Geldautomaten holen.I still have to get some cash from the ATM
- Kann ich die Rechnung bitte bar bezahlen?Can I pay the bill in cash, please?
- Hey, ich brauche etwas Kohle für das Konzert.Hey, I need some cash for the concert.
- 64 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are at a small bakery.
- LauraKann ich mit Karte zahlen?Can I pay by card?
- LukasNein, wir nehmen nur Bargeld.No, we only take cash.
- LauraOh, Lukas, hast du Bargeld?Oh, Lukas, do you have cash?
- LukasJa, ich habe genug dabei.Yes, I have enough on me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cash” translations and entries Bargeld, Cash, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
