checking account
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checking account
Colloquial short form for 'Girokonto' (checking account), a bank account for everyday cashless payments such as transfers and direct debits.
Die Miete wird monatlich von meinem Giro abgebucht.
The rent is debited from my checking account every month.
'Giro' is the colloquial short form of 'Girokonto' (checking account). The word 'Giro' is also the first part of other banking-related words, such as 'Girokarte' (debit card).
Ich habe mein Portemonnaie vergessen, aber ich kann mit meiner Girokarte bezahlen.
I forgot my wallet, but I can pay with my debit card.
Using 'Giro' on its own is typical of spoken language or informal contexts. In official documents, the full form 'Girokonto' (checking account) is usually used.
Kannst du das Geld auf mein Giro überweisen?
Can you transfer the money to my checking account?
When talking about money movements, you transfer money 'auf das Giro' (to the checking account; accusative) or debit money 'vom Giro' (from the checking account; dative). When referring to the account balance, you have money 'auf dem Giro' (in/on the checking account; dative).
Die Rechnung wird automatisch von meinem Giro abgebucht.
The bill is automatically debited from my checking account.
account
Konto is the general term and can refer to different types of bank accounts. Giro is a colloquial shortened form of Girokonto and specifically means the account used for everyday payments. In an informal conversation about this account, Giro is therefore appropriate.
Zu Hause erzähle ich, dass mein neues Giro jetzt eröffnet ist.
At home, I say that my new checking account has now been opened.
Die Bankberaterin eröffnet mir ein Konto für den täglichen Zahlungsverkehr.
The bank advisor is opening an account for my everyday payments.
