reminder / warning
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payment reminder
A written request to pay an overdue bill or debt. Often, several reminders are sent with increasing fees.
Wenn du die Rechnung nicht bald bezahlst, bekommst du eine offizielle Mahnung.
If you don't pay the bill soon, you'll receive an official payment reminder.
'Die Mahnung' is the noun related to the verb 'mahnen' (to remind, admonish, warn). A 'Mahnung' is therefore the result of the action: when someone 'mahnt', they send a 'Mahnung' (request/reminder) or issue a 'Mahnung' (warning).
Er hat die erste Mahnung ignoriert und muss jetzt Mahngebühren zahlen.
He ignored the first payment reminder and now has to pay reminder fees.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about money, bills, or companies, it means a request for payment. If it is about morality, history, or dangers, it means a serious warning.
Ich habe eine Mahnung von meinem Stromanbieter erhalten.
I received a payment reminder from my electricity provider.
In a financial context, typical verbs are 'eine Mahnung erhalten/bekommen' (to receive a payment reminder) or 'eine Mahnung schicken/versenden' (to send a payment reminder). You also often hear about the 'erste' (first), 'zweite' (second), or 'letzte Mahnung' (final reminder).
Wenn die Rechnung bis Freitag nicht bezahlt ist, versenden wir die zweite Mahnung.
If the bill is not paid by Friday, we will send the second payment reminder.
In the meaning 'Warnung' (warning), 'Mahnung' is often used with the preposition 'an' (+ accusative) or in the fixed expression 'als Mahnung dienen' (to serve as a warning).
Seine Rede war eine klare Mahnung an die Regierung, mehr für den Klimaschutz zu tun.
His speech was a clear warning to the government to do more for climate protection.
memory / reminder
'die Erinnerung' and 'die Mahnung' can both get someone to not forget something or finally do it. An 'Erinnerung' usually sounds neutral and friendly: it reminds someone of an appointment, a task, or a payment. A 'Mahnung' is more serious. It often comes when an invoice has been paid late, or it clearly warns against wrong behavior. The words can be confused because both can contain a prompt to act. If it is only about reminding, 'Erinnerung' fits. If pressure, a warning, or an overdue payment is important, 'Mahnung' fits.
Vor dem Urlaub kam eine Mahnung, weil die Rechnung noch nicht bezahlt war.
Before the vacation, a payment reminder arrived because the invoice had not been paid yet.
Herr Becker schreibt sich eine Erinnerung in den Kalender, damit er den Termin nicht verpasst.
Mr. Becker writes a reminder in his calendar so that he does not miss the appointment.