What does Mahnung mean?
A Mahnung is a letter reminding you that a payment is missing. Fees are often added.
die Mahnung · die Mahnungen (plural)
First check whether you really owe the money. Maybe you have already paid, or the bill is wrong.
If you have already paid, send proof. If the claim is wrong, object in writing and explain why.
A Mahnung is not a Mahnbescheid. A Mahnbescheid comes from a court in a yellow envelope, and it has a deadline.
Watch out for fraud: check the sender and the account before you pay.
Example sentence
Leider konnten wir bis heute keinen Zahlungseingang feststellen. Bitte zahlen Sie bis zum 20.10.2026.
Unfortunately, we have not yet received your payment. Please pay by 20.10.2026.
What you can do
If you cannot pay everything, ask early for a Ratenzahlung (instalments). Many debt advice centres (Schuldnerberatung) help for free.
Related words
- Gläubiger A Gläubiger (creditor) is a person, company or office that you owe money to, or that claims you do.
- Mahnbescheid A Mahnbescheid is a letter from a court. Someone uses it to demand money from you.
- Ratenzahlung Ratenzahlung (payment in instalments) means you pay a debt in smaller amounts, for example part of it every month.
- Säumniszuschlag A Säumniszuschlag (late payment surcharge) is an extra charge for paying a tax or a contribution late.
- Kassenzeichen A Kassenzeichen is a number an office uses to match your payment.