The German word for bill or invoice is die Rechnung.
You’ll hear it at restaurants, see it in your email inbox, and use it in financial conversations both formal and informal. It’s all about payment—what you owe, what you’re owed, or what’s been calculated.

It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German (grab the free illustrated ebook/PDF!) and a must-know for travelers, shoppers, and professionals alike.

Gender and Pronunciation

It’s a feminine noun: die Rechnung.
Want an easier way to spot gender patterns in German nouns? Check out our video lesson on the topic.

Pronunciation:
Rechnung is pronounced [REKH-noong]

• “REKH” like wreck but with a harsh German ch

• “noong” rhymes loosely with song but nasal
  Two syllables: REKH-noong

Example sentences

Könnten wir bitte die Rechnung haben?
Could we get the bill, please?

Die Rechnung wurde gestern per E-Mail verschickt.
The invoice was sent yesterday by email.

Die Rechnung stimmt nicht – da ist ein Fehler.
The bill is incorrect—there’s a mistake.

Nuance and usage tips

💶 In restaurants or cafés, Rechnung means the bill. It’s what you ask for when you want to pay. “Zahlen, bitte!” or “Die Rechnung, bitte!” are both polite ways to request it.

📨 In a business context, Rechnung means invoice. It’s the official request for payment for goods or services rendered.

➕ It can also mean calculation or computation, especially in math class or when talking about someone’s Rechnung geht nicht auf (the math doesn’t add up).

How does this word come up in real conversations?

"Entschuldigung, könnten wir die Rechnung bekommen?"
Excuse me, could we get the bill?

"Die Rechnung für das Hotel kam letzte Woche."
The invoice for the hotel arrived last week.

"Ich hab schon bezahlt, aber ich brauche noch eine Rechnung."
I already paid, but I still need a receipt/invoice.

Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)

Mara: Bist du fertig mit dem Essen?
Tom: Ja, ich bin pappsatt.
Mara: Sollen wir die Rechnung holen?
Tom: Gute Idee. Ich zahle diesmal!

Translation:
Mara: Are you done eating?
Tom: Yeah, I’m stuffed.
Mara: Should we ask for the bill?
Tom: Good idea. I’m paying this time!

Grammatical case examples

Nominative:
Die Rechnung liegt auf dem Tisch.
The bill is on the table.

Accusative:
Ich habe die Rechnung schon bezahlt.
I’ve already paid the invoice.

Dative:
Mit der Rechnung stimmt etwas nicht.
There’s something wrong with the bill.

Genitive:
Die Höhe der Rechnung war überraschend.
The size of the bill was surprising.

Other ways to say bill or invoice in German

While Rechnung is the standard word, in casual speech you might also hear Quittung (receipt), especially after payment. In businesses, Faktura is sometimes used in formal documents. Beleg is a more general term for proof of payment or receipt.

In very casual restaurant slang, you might hear Zettel (slip) or Bon (receipt), but Rechnung is almost always understood and appropriate.

Word variations and tidbits

You’ll see Rechnung in combinations like Stromrechnung (electric bill), Handyrechnung (mobile phone bill), Arztrechnung (doctor’s bill), and Endabrechnung (final invoice or settlement).

🧠 Fun fact: The verb rechnen means “to calculate,” so Rechnung literally means “a calculated amount.” The idiom jemandem die Rechnung präsentieren (“to present someone the bill”) can also be used figuratively, meaning “to make someone face the consequences.”

📘 Duden entry for Rechnung:
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Rechnung
🎥 Want to make every word count—financially and linguistically? Our video course teaches you this and 999 other essential German nouns with visual aids, grammar help, and real-world examples.

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