abrechnen

German

Etymology

From Middle High German aberechenen. Analysable as ab- +‎ rechnen. Compare Dutch afrekenen.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈap.ʁɛç.nən/
• Hyphenation: ab‧rech‧nen

Verb

1. (intransitive) To settle up; to establish (and balance) all earnings and costs.

   Wenn alle Kosten feststehen, können wir abrechnen.

   When all costs are confirmed, we can settle up.

2. (transitive) To sum up; cash up; to make a final account or bill of something; to include something in such a bill.

   Der Vermieter muss jährlich die Nebenkosten abrechnen.

   The landlord must provide an annual account of the utility charges.

   Die Fahrtkosten werden mit den Aufenthaltskosten abgerechnet.

   The travel fares will be included in the bill with the accommodation costs.

3. (transitive) To subtract.

   Davon musst du noch unsere Ausgaben abrechnen.

   You have to subtract our spendings from that.

4. (intransitive, figurative) To settle scores with someone or something; to make one's final reckoning; to get even; to have closure or revenge.

   In seiner Siegesrede rechnete der Kandidat mit seinen Kritikern ab.

   In his victory speech, the candidate settled his scores with his critics.

   In seiner Autobiografie rechnete der Sänger mit seiner kriminellen Vergangenheit ab.

   In his autobiography, the singer made his final reckoning with his criminal past.

Synonyms

• (settle up): abkassieren; zusammenrechnen
• (sum up): verrechnen; zusammenrechnen
• (subtract): abziehen

Derived terms

• Abrechnen
• Abrechnung

Further reading

• “abrechnen” in Duden online