Lesson 201 · German B1

Banking & Financial Vocabulary

Bank und Finanzen

Opening an account, setting up transfers, and understanding fees are tasks every resident of Germany handles directly - often without an English-speaking option at the counter or in the app.

Today's win: open an account and set up a standing order in German, at least on paper.

Core vocabulary

das Konto eröffnento open an account
das Girokontochecking account
die Überweisungbank transfer
der Dauerauftragstanding order
die Kontonummer / IBANaccount number / IBAN
abheben / einzahlento withdraw / to deposit
der Kreditloan
die Gebührfee

1. What is a "Dauerauftrag"?

Show answer
a standing order (recurring automatic transfer)

At the bank counter

Ich möchte ein Girokonto eröffnen. (I would like to open a checking account.)
Wie hoch sind die monatlichen Gebühren? (How high are the monthly fees?)
Ich möchte einen Dauerauftrag für meine Miete einrichten. (I would like to set up a standing order for my rent.)

2. "I would like to open a checking account." - Ich möchte ein Girokonto ______.

Show answer
eröffnen

Reading your account

Können Sie mir bitte Geld überweisen? (Can you transfer me money, please?)
Ich muss noch 200 Euro abheben. (I still need to withdraw 200 euros.)

3. "abheben" means to withdraw or to deposit?

Show answer
to withdraw
Try it out loud: say the sentence you would use to open an account and set up your rent as a standing order.

Recap

4. What does IBAN identify?

Show answer
your bank account number (international format)

5. "der Kredit" means what?

Show answer
loan

Primary source

Aligned with standard Goethe-Zertifikat B1 / telc B1 exam syllabus topics.

Want to practice a full bank counter dialogue? Ask your teaching agent to role-play it with you.

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