Requesting a detailed invoice | Learn German in English

German lesson set in a contemporary Berlin everyday setting: At a service desk, a guest asks staff for a detailed invoice that separates room, breakfast, and laundry services for work records..

EN → DE / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Requesting a detailed invoice to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Könnte ich bitte eine detaillierte Rechnung statt einer einfachen Quittung bekommen?

KURN-tuh ikh BIT-tuh EYE-nuh day-tah-LEE-er-tuh REKH-noong shtat EYE-nuh EYN-fakh-uhn guh-BEH-muhn? Could I have a detailed invoice instead of a simple receipt?
B

Ich kann eine vorbereiten. Soll ich jede Leistung einzeln aufführen?

ikh kan EYE-nuh foh-buh-RYE-tuhn. ZOL ikh YAY-duh LYE-shtoong EYN-tseln OWF-fyur-uhn? I can prepare one. Should I list each service separately?
A

Die Rechnung ist für meine Arbeitsunterlagen, daher muss jede Leistung klar aufgeführt sein.

dee REKH-noong ist fyur MY-nuh AR-bites-oon-ter-LAH-gen, dah-HAIR moos YAY-duh LYE-shtoong klahr OWF-guh-FYUURT zyne. It is for work records, so each service needs to be clear.
B

Ich kann das Zimmer, das Frühstück und den Wäscheservice in getrennten Zeilen aufführen.

ikh kan das TSIM-er, das FRUUSH-took oont den VEH-shuh-ZUR-vees in guh-TRENT-uhn TSY-len OWF-fyur-uhn. I can list the room, breakfast, and laundry on separate lines.
A

Bitte führen Sie den Wäscheservice getrennt von der Zimmergebühr auf.

BIT-tuh FYUR-uhn zee den VEH-shuh-ZUR-vees guh-TRENT fohn dair TSIM-er-guh-BYUUR OWF. Please keep the laundry service separate from the room charge.
B

Ich bereite diese Version vor, während Sie warten.

ikh beh-RYE-tuh DEE-zuh vair-ZYOHN fohr, VAIR-ent zee VAR-tuhn. I will prepare that version while you wait.
A

Das wird es meinem Büro leichter machen, sie zu bearbeiten.

das veert es MY-nem byu-ROH LYKH-ter MAKH-uhn, zee tsoo beh-AR-by-ten. That will make it easier for my office to process.
B

Ich werde oben außerdem eine kurze Beschreibung hinzufügen.

ikh VAIR-duh OH-ben OW-ser-DAYM EYE-nuh KOOR-tsuh beh-SHREY-boong HIN-tsoo-FYUUR-uhn. I will add a short description at the top as well.
A

Das sollte Fragen verhindern, wenn ich das Dokument einreiche.

das ZOL-tuh FRAH-gen fehr-HIN-dern, ven ikh das doh-koo-MENT EYN-RYE-khuh. That should prevent questions when I submit the document.
B

Bitte prüfen Sie die Angaben, bevor ich das Dokument ausdrucke.

BIT-tuh PRUUF-uhn zee dee AHN-gah-ben, beh-FOHR ikh das doh-koo-MENT OWS-drook-uh. Please check the details before I print it.

Word by Word

Könnte Könnte means “could” here and makes the request polite. It is used at the start of a request such as asking for an invoice at a service desk. A reusable pattern is Könnte ich bitte ... bekommen?.
ich Ich means “I” and identifies the person making the request or statement. It appears before the verb in questions such as Könnte ich and in statements such as Ich kann. Use it when speaking about yourself in a service interaction.
bitte Bitte means “please” and makes the request more polite. Here it appears inside the request for an invoice, after Könnte ich. Use bitte when asking staff for something politely.
eine Eine introduces one invoice in eine detaillierte Rechnung. It belongs with the noun Rechnung and identifies the requested item. A useful reuse point is eine followed by a feminine noun when requesting or mentioning one item.
detaillierte Detaillierte means “detailed” and describes the requested invoice as containing clear individual information. It appears directly before Rechnung in eine detaillierte Rechnung. Use it before a document or explanation when you need more information than a simple summary.
Rechnung Rechnung means “invoice” and is the detailed document the guest wants. In this dialogue it is requested instead of a simple receipt and later discussed as being prepared and processed. Use Rechnung when asking a business for a bill for payment or records.
statt Statt means “instead of” and introduces the alternative the guest does not want: a simple receipt. Here it connects the requested invoice with einer einfachen Quittung. Use statt when choosing one item or option in place of another.
einer Einer introduces the alternative receipt in einer einfachen Quittung after statt. It belongs with Quittung and refers to one receipt. A useful reuse pattern is statt einer ... when requesting one thing rather than another.
einfachen Einfachen means “simple” here and describes the receipt as less detailed than the requested invoice. It appears directly before Quittung. Use it with a noun when describing something as uncomplicated or containing little detail.
Quittung Quittung means “receipt” and refers to the simpler document offered as the alternative to an invoice. The guest specifically asks for a Rechnung statt einer einfachen Quittung. Use Quittung when referring to proof that a payment was made.
bekommen Bekommen means “get” or “receive” and completes the polite request for an invoice. It follows eine detaillierte Rechnung in the phrase asking whether the speaker can receive it. Use bekommen with an object for something you receive from a person or organization.
kann Kann means “can” and expresses that the staff member is able or willing to prepare the invoice. It is followed by the infinitive vorbereiten in Ich kann eine vorbereiten. Use kann when offering or describing someone’s ability to do something.
vorbereiten Vorbereiten means “prepare” and refers to preparing the invoice. Here it is the infinitive after kann, with eine standing for the invoice. Use vorbereiten with a document, form, or other item that must be made ready.
Soll Soll means “should” in the question Soll ich jede Leistung einzeln aufführen? and asks whether the speaker should take a particular action. It appears at the beginning of a question about how to format the invoice. Use Soll ich ...? when checking whether an action is wanted or appropriate.
jede Jede means “each” or “every” and refers to every individual service on the invoice. It appears before Leistung in jede Leistung einzeln aufführen. Use jede when considering the members of a group one by one.
Leistung Leistung means “service” in this dialogue, referring to a chargeable service such as the room, breakfast, or laundry. It is the item that will be listed separately. Use Leistung when describing an individual service provided by a business.
einzeln Einzeln means “separately” or “individually” and says that each service should be handled as its own item. It appears with jede Leistung and aufführen. Use einzeln when items must be considered or shown one at a time.
aufführen Aufführen means “list” or “itemize” and refers to putting each service clearly on the invoice. In Soll ich jede Leistung einzeln aufführen?, it is the infinitive after Soll. Use aufführen for listing items, charges, or information in a document.
Die Die means “the” before Rechnung in Die Rechnung. It refers back to the invoice being discussed, and its capital letter is required because it begins the sentence. Use die Rechnung when referring to a specific invoice.
ist Ist means “is” and states the purpose of the invoice: it is for the speaker’s work records. It links Die Rechnung with für meine Arbeitsunterlagen. Use ist to describe what something is or what purpose it has.
für Für means “for” and introduces the purpose of the invoice in für meine Arbeitsunterlagen. It shows that the document is intended for work records. Use für when stating who or what something is intended for.
meine Meine means “my” and identifies the speaker’s work records. It appears before Arbeitsunterlagen in für meine Arbeitsunterlagen. Use meine before a noun when referring to something belonging to or associated with yourself.
Arbeitsunterlagen Arbeitsunterlagen means “work records” or “work documents” and identifies the business records for which the invoice is needed. In the dialogue, the invoice must be clear so the office can process it. Use Arbeitsunterlagen for documents kept or used for work.
daher Daher means “therefore” or “so” and introduces the consequence of needing the invoice for work records. It connects that reason with the requirement that every service be clearly listed. Use daher to draw a conclusion from the preceding statement.
muss Muss means “must” or “needs to” and expresses the requirement that each service be clearly listed. It appears before klar aufgeführt sein. Use muss when stating that something is necessary or required.
klar Klar means “clear” and describes how each service must appear on the invoice. In klar aufgeführt sein, it means that the listing should be understandable and unambiguous. Use klar with information or documents when the reader should understand them easily.
aufgeführt Aufgeführt means “listed” or “itemized” and describes the services as being shown on the invoice. It appears with klar and sein in klar aufgeführt sein. Use aufgeführt when referring to information that has been included as an item in a list or document.
sein Sein means “be” and completes the expression klar aufgeführt sein, describing the required state of the services on the invoice. It follows muss in the sentence. Use sein after a modal verb when describing what something must or should be.
das Das appears as the article in das Zimmer and means “the” before Zimmer. The capitalized form Das later means “that” at the start of Das wird es meinem Büro leichter machen. Use das Zimmer for the room item, and Das can refer back to a previously mentioned result or action.
Zimmer Zimmer means “room” and is one of the services to be shown on the invoice. It appears in the list das Zimmer, das Frühstück und den Wäscheservice. Use Zimmer when identifying a room in a hotel or another building.
Frühstück Frühstück means “breakfast” and is another service to be listed separately on the invoice. It appears between das Zimmer and den Wäscheservice in the list. Use Frühstück when referring to the morning meal or a breakfast service.
und Und means “and” and joins the room, breakfast, and laundry service in one list. Here it connects the final item to the preceding invoice items. Use und to connect words or groups of words that belong together.
den Den introduces Wäscheservice in den Wäscheservice and identifies it as the laundry-service item being listed. It is also part of the complete list of invoice items. Use den before a specific masculine noun in a phrase where this form is required.
Wäscheservice Wäscheservice means “laundry service” and refers to the laundry charge on the invoice. The guest later asks for this service to remain separate from the room charge. Use Wäscheservice when discussing laundry provided by a hotel or service business.
in In means “in” or “on” here and indicates where the services will appear: in getrennten Zeilen. It describes the format of the invoice rather than a physical location. Use in when placing information inside a document or in a particular format.
getrennten Getrennten means “separate” and describes the lines on which the invoice items will appear. It is used in in getrennten Zeilen. Use this form in a phrase describing separate lines or other clearly divided parts.
Zeilen Zeilen means “lines” and refers to separate lines on the invoice. The room, breakfast, and laundry service will each appear in their own line. Use Zeilen when discussing lines of text or entries in a document.
führen Führen is the first part of the split verb führen ... auf in Bitte führen Sie den Wäscheservice getrennt von der Zimmergebühr auf. Together with auf, it means “list” or “itemize,” not simply “lead” in this context. Use the full verb aufführen when describing items recorded in a document.
Sie Sie means formal “you” in Bitte führen Sie ... auf, addressing the service-desk employee politely. The lowercase form sie later refers to the document being processed, so capitalization changes the reference here. Use Sie when addressing one or more people formally.
getrennt Getrennt means “separate” or “separately” and says that the laundry service must be kept apart from the room charge. It appears in the pattern getrennt von der Zimmergebühr. Use getrennt von + an item when stating that two things should not be combined.
von Von means “from” in getrennt von der Zimmergebühr and identifies the item from which the laundry service should remain separate. It completes the separation pattern with getrennt. Use von after getrennt when naming the other item in the separation.
der Der introduces Zimmergebühr in der Zimmergebühr, referring to the specific room charge. It appears after von in the phrase describing what must remain separate. Use der before a specific noun when this article form is required in the phrase.
Zimmergebühr Zimmergebühr means “room charge” and refers to the amount charged for the room. The guest wants it shown separately from the laundry service. Use Zimmergebühr when distinguishing the room cost from other charges on an invoice.
auf Auf completes the split verb führen ... auf in the polite instruction to list the laundry service separately. In this dialogue, führen ... auf means “itemize,” while auf alone does not carry that full meaning. Use the infinitive aufführen when the verb is not split.
bereite Bereite is the first part of the split verb bereite ... vor and means “prepare” in Ich bereite diese Version vor. The prefix vor appears at the end of the clause. Use Ich bereite ... vor when stating that you are preparing a document or version.
diese Diese means “this” and identifies the particular version of the invoice that will be prepared. It appears directly before Version in diese Version. Use diese before a noun when pointing to a specific item under discussion.
Version Version means “version” and refers to the requested invoice format with separate service details. The staff member says this version will be prepared while the guest waits. Use Version when distinguishing one form or format of a document from another.
vor Vor completes bereite ... vor, the split form of vorbereiten, meaning “prepare.” It appears at the end of Ich bereite diese Version vor. Use it together with bereite when describing preparation in this sentence pattern.
während Während means “while” and introduces the action that happens at the same time as the preparation: während Sie warten. It starts a subordinate clause whose verb appears at the end. Use während + a clause to describe two simultaneous actions.
warten Warten means “wait” and describes what the guest does while the staff member prepares the invoice. It appears at the end of während Sie warten. Use warten when someone remains in place until a service or action is completed.
wird Wird means “will” here and presents the expected result of the invoice format: it will make processing easier. It is followed by machen in Das wird es meinem Büro leichter machen. Use wird with an infinitive to describe a future result or consequence.
es Es means “it” in es meinem Büro leichter machen and forms part of the expression meaning “make it easier.” Here it does not name the office; it refers to the thing being made easier to process. A useful pattern is es jemandem leichter machen, etwas zu bearbeiten.
meinem Meinem means “my” and identifies the speaker’s office in meinem Büro. It appears before Büro in the expression about making processing easier for that office. Use this form with Büro when referring to the speaker’s office in this type of phrase.
Büro Büro means “office” and refers to the workplace that will process the submitted document. It appears in meinem Büro. Use Büro when discussing the workplace or the staff responsible for handling documents.
leichter Leichter means “easier” and describes the expected effect on the office’s processing work. It appears in es meinem Büro leichter machen. Use leichter when saying that an action reduces the difficulty of another task.
machen Machen means “make” and completes the expression es meinem Büro leichter machen, meaning to make processing easier for the office. It follows wird as the infinitive. Use machen with an adjective such as leichter when describing how an action changes a situation.
zu Zu is the infinitive marker in zu bearbeiten and links the processing action to leichter machen. It is not the preposition “to” in this phrase. Use zu before an infinitive when expressing an action that is to be carried out.
bearbeiten Bearbeiten means “process” or “handle” and refers to the office processing the invoice or document. It appears after zu in sie zu bearbeiten. Use bearbeiten for handling documents, requests, or other work items.
werde Werde means “will” in Ich werde oben außerdem eine kurze Beschreibung hinzufügen and announces a planned action. It is followed by the infinitive hinzufügen. Use werde with an infinitive to state what you will do.
oben Oben means “at the top” and specifies where the short description will be placed on the document. It appears before außerdem eine kurze Beschreibung hinzufügen. Use oben when locating information near the upper part of a page or document.
außerdem Außerdem means “also” or “in addition” and adds the short description to the other planned invoice details. It signals an additional action or piece of information. Use außerdem when adding another point to what has already been said.
kurze Kurze means “short” and describes the description that will be added. It appears directly before Beschreibung in eine kurze Beschreibung. Use it with a noun when the text or explanation is brief.
Beschreibung Beschreibung means “description” and refers to a short explanation placed at the top of the invoice. It is intended to make the document clearer for later processing. Use Beschreibung for explanatory text that identifies or clarifies something.
hinzufügen Hinzufügen means “add” and refers to adding the short description to the invoice. It is the infinitive after werde in the future statement. Use hinzufügen when putting extra information into an existing document or list.
sollte Sollte means “should” and expresses an expected result: the description should prevent questions. It presents this as a reasonable expectation rather than an absolute guarantee. Use sollte when describing an intended or likely effect.
Fragen Fragen means “questions” and refers to questions that might arise when the document is submitted. The added description is intended to prevent these questions. Use Fragen when discussing requests for clarification or information.
verhindern Verhindern means “prevent” and describes stopping questions from arising during document submission. It follows sollte in Das sollte Fragen verhindern. Use verhindern with an unwanted event or problem that an action is meant to stop.
wenn Wenn means “when” here and introduces the situation in which questions might otherwise arise: when the speaker submits the document. It starts the subordinate clause wenn ich das Dokument einreiche. Use wenn + a clause for a time or condition connected to another action.
Dokument Dokument means “document” and refers to the invoice or related paperwork being submitted and printed. It appears in das Dokument einreiche and das Dokument ausdrucke. Use Dokument for formal written or digital paperwork.
einreiche Einreiche means “submit” and describes the speaker handing in the document. It appears at the end of the wenn-clause in wenn ich das Dokument einreiche. Use einreichen with a document, form, or report that is officially sent to an office.
prüfen Prüfen means “check” or “review” and is used in the polite request to verify the invoice details. It appears after Bitte prüfen Sie die Angaben. Use prüfen when asking someone to verify information before a document is finalized.
Angaben Angaben means “details” or “information” and refers to the information written on the invoice. The guest is asked to check these details before printing. Use Angaben for specific information supplied on a form or document.
bevor Bevor means “before” and introduces the action that must happen later: printing the document. It starts bevor ich das Dokument ausdrucke, with the verb at the end of the subordinate clause. Use bevor + a clause to state that one action should happen earlier than another.
ausdrucke Ausdrucke means “print” and describes the speaker printing the document. It appears at the end of the clause after bevor. Use this form when saying that you personally print something in a subordinate clause.

Grammar Points

während + Nebensatz: Verb am Ende

Während wir das Dokument prüfen, bereiten wir die Rechnung vor.

VAIR-ent veer das doh-koo-MENT PRUUF-uhn, beh-RYE-ten veer dee REKH-noong fohr.

While we check the document, we prepare the invoice.

After während, the conjugated verb goes to the end of the subordinate clause.

Trennbare Verben im Hauptsatz

Wir reichen das Dokument ein und drucken es aus.

veer RYE-khen das doh-koo-MENT EYN oont DROOK-uhn es OWS.

We submit the document and print it out.

In a main clause, the prefix separates and moves to the end: einreichen → reichen ... ein.

German Vocabulary

Arbeitsunterlage noun
AR-bites-oon-ter-LAH-guh work record Arbeitsunterlagen
aufführen verb
OWF-fyur-uhn to list
bekommen verb
guh-BEH-muhn to get
detailliert adj
day-tah-LEE-ert detailed detaillierte
einzeln adv
EYN-tseln separately
klar adj
klahr clear
Leistung noun
LYE-shtoong service
Quittung noun
KVIT-toong receipt
Rechnung noun
REKH-noong invoice
statt prep
shtat instead of
vorbereiten verb
fohr-buh-RYE-tuhn to prepare
Zimmer noun
TSIM-er room

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to list

Show Answeraufführen

receipt

Show AnswerQuittung

detailed

Show Answerdetaillierte

to get

Show Answerbekommen