German Conversation · Level 171
30 words
German word
abrechnen
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈapˌʁɛçnən/
Meaning
- verbsettle
Example
Wir rechnen die Rechnung ab.
We settle the bill.
More examples
Wir rechnen die Leistungen direkt mit der Krankenkasse ab.
We bill the services directly to the health insurance company.
Core concept
An open account reaches its final balance, whether it records money owed or a wrong that someone must answer for.
Common phrases
Stunden abrechnen
bill hours
die Kosten abrechnen
bill the costs
mit der Krankenkasse abrechnen
bill the health insurance company
Similar words
bezahlen: Make the required payment for goods, services, or other charges.
begleichen: Clear a debt or bill by paying the full sum due.
berechnen: Determine the price or fee to be charged for something.
verrechnen: Apply one amount against another to reduce the balance owed.
Definition in German
Rechnungen begleichen; in übertragener Bedeutung mit jemandem abrechnen heißt, jemanden zur Rechenschaft ziehen oder sich für Unrecht rächen.
Word origin
The verb is formed from ab- in the sense of completion or separation and rechnen, whose Germanic root is also found in English reckon.
Usage tips
- In the figurative construction, abrechnen takes mit plus the dative, as in mit jemandem abrechnen, not an accusative object.
Other meanings
- chargeverb
- process paymentverb
Opposites
- bezahlenpayverb
Related words
- Abrechnungbillingnoun
- abrechenbarchargeableadjective