At the bank
In der Bank
- Open a bank account.
- Make online purchases and be familiar with common payment methods.
- Get to know the biggest banks of the country.
At the bank: Learn how to open a bank account and handle transactions using key vocabulary like "das Konto eröffnen" (to open an account), "Geld abheben" (to withdraw money), and "die EC-Karte" (debit card). This A2 lesson focuses on practical banking dialogues and essential verbs such as "sparen" (to save) and "bezahlen" (to pay).
Vocabulary (13) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Übung 1: Conversation exercise
Anleitung:
- Discuss the different payment methods that you see. (Discuss the different payment methods that you see.)
- Do you prefer shopping online or in a store? Do you like talking on the phone? (Do you prefer shopping online or in a store? Do you like talking on the phone?)
- Is it common in your country to leave a tip? (Is it common in your country to leave a tip? )
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
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Ich bezahle lieber mit Karte, weil es schneller ist. I prefer paying by card because it is faster. |
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Ich habe gerne Bargeld, weil man manchmal nicht mit Karte bezahlen kann. I like to have cash because sometimes you can not pay by card. |
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Ich mag Online-Shopping mehr, weil es für mich stressfreier ist. I like online shopping more because it is less stressful for me. |
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Ich ziehe es vor, mit meiner Bankanwendung zu bezahlen. I prefer paying with my bank application. |
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Wir zahlen per Überweisung. We pay by bank transfer. |
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In meinem Land gibt fast niemand Trinkgeld, also mache ich es nie. Almost nobody leaves a tip in my country so I never do it. |
| ... |
Exercise 2: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Ich __________ heute am Geldautomaten 100 Euro ab.
(I __________ 100 euros from the ATM today.)2. Du __________ immer Bargeld ab, wenn du die EC-Karte benutzt.
(You __________ always withdraw cash when you use the debit card.)3. Wir __________ letztes Jahr viel Geld gespart.
(We __________ saved a lot of money last year.)4. Sie __________ das Konto vor einer Woche eröffnet.
(She __________ opened the account a week ago.)Exercise 4: At the bank: Opening a new account and withdrawing money
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Sparen - Save
Perfekt
- ich habe gespart
- du hast gespart
- er/sie/es hat gespart
- wir haben gespart
- ihr habt gespart
- sie/Sie haben gespart
Eröffnen - Open
Perfekt
- ich habe eröffnet
- du hast eröffnet
- er/sie/es hat eröffnet
- wir haben eröffnet
- ihr habt eröffnet
- sie/Sie haben eröffnet
Abheben - Withdraw
Präsens
- ich hebe ab
- du hebst ab
- er/sie/es hebt ab
- wir heben ab
- ihr hebt ab
- sie/Sie heben ab
Stecken - Insert
Präsens
- ich stecke
- du steckst
- er/sie/es steckt
- wir stecken
- ihr steckt
- sie/Sie stecken
Geben - Enter
Präsens
- ich gebe
- du gibst
- er/sie/es gibt
- wir geben
- ihr gebt
- sie/Sie geben
Wählen - Choose
Präsens
- ich wähle
- du wählst
- er/sie/es wählt
- wir wählen
- ihr wählt
- sie/Sie wählen
Grammar Share Copied!
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Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Sparen to save Share Copied!
perfekt
| German | English |
|---|---|
| (ich) habe gespart | I have saved |
| (du) hast gespart | You have saved |
| (er/sie/es) hat gespart | he/she/it saved |
| (wir) haben gespart | we have saved |
| (ihr) habt gespart | You have saved |
| (sie) haben gespart | they have saved |
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Lesson Overview: At the Bank
This lesson is designed for A2-level German learners and focuses on everyday banking interactions. It covers practical dialogues and vocabulary you need to open a bank account, discuss payment methods for online shopping, and learn about major banks in Germany. You will find key phrases to hold conversations in a bank setting and useful verbs related to financial transactions.
Opening a New Bank Account
Learn how to open a checking account (Girokonto) and ask essential questions such as presenting your ID (Personalausweis) and proof of registration (Meldebestätigung). Important phrases include:
- Guten Tag, ich möchte ein Girokonto eröffnen. (Good day, I want to open a checking account.)
- Haben Sie Ihren Ausweis dabei? (Do you have your ID with you?)
- Möchten Sie auch eine Kreditkarte beantragen? (Would you also like to apply for a credit card?)
Online Shopping and Payment Methods
Practice discussing how to buy online and the different payment options like credit card (Kreditkarte), PayPal, and direct debit (Lastschrift). Common expressions are:
- Ich möchte online ein Buch kaufen, aber ich weiß nicht, wie ich bezahlen soll. (I want to buy a book online but don't know how to pay.)
- Die meisten Shops akzeptieren Kreditkarte oder PayPal. (Most shops accept credit card or PayPal.)
- Gibt es sichere Zahlungsmöglichkeiten? (Are there secure payment options?)
Getting to Know the Largest Banks in Germany
This section helps you identify major German banks such as Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and Sparkasse, discussing their offers and benefits. Useful terms include:
- Welche sind die größten Banken in Deutschland? (Which are the biggest banks in Germany?)
- Die Sparkasse hat viele Filialen und bietet gute Beratung vor Ort. (The Sparkasse has many branches and offers good on-site advice.)
- Sind Online-Banken auch eine Option? (Are online banks also an option?)
Core Vocabulary and Verb Usage
The lesson also emphasizes important verbs related to banking and money handling, including abheben (to withdraw), sparen (to save), eröffnen (to open), and bezahlen (to pay). You will see them used in present and perfect tense forms like:
- Ich hebe heute am Geldautomaten 100 Euro ab. (I am withdrawing 100 Euros at the ATM today.)
- Letzte Woche habe ich ein neues Bankkonto eröffnet. (Last week I opened a new bank account.)
Important Differences Between English and German Banking Terms
While many banking concepts exist in both languages, some terminology and phrases differ. For example, the German Girokonto is similar to a checking account in English but refers more broadly to a current account for everyday transactions. The phrase eine Karte beantragen means to apply for a card, commonly a credit card.
German also distinctly uses the Präsens (present tense) and Perfekt (present perfect) for describing actions differently than English simple past or present perfect forms. For instance, ich habe gespart translates to "I have saved," but it is often used in spoken German instead of a simple past.
Key phrases to remember:
- Girokonto eröffnen – Open a checking account
- Geld abheben – Withdraw money
- Zahlen per Überweisung – Pay by bank transfer
- Sich für ein Konto interessieren – Be interested in an account
Understanding these expressions will help you confidently manage banking interactions and financial discussions in German.
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