German · Girokonto
The cash machine kept your card: what to say in German
The cash machine kept your card.
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How it's done. If a cash machine keeps your card, go into a branch of that bank or phone the number shown on the machine; the card is often returned on the spot, otherwise it is blocked and replaced.Prepared by the Movko team, November 2026. This is language help, not legal or medical advice: check the rules with the office itself.
Cheat sheet for your visit
The first phrase is open: tap ▶ to listen, or “Show” to show it to the other person. The rest of the dialogue is in the course in the app.
1
YOU START
Guten Tag. Der Geldautomat hat meine Karte eingezogen.
GOO-tayn tahk. Dehr GEL-tow-toh-muht khaht MIGH-neh KAHR-teh IGHN-geh-tsoh-gayn.
Good day. The cash machine has kept my card.
Or say:Guten Tag. Der Automat hat meine Karte nicht mehr herausgegeben.
GOO-tayn tahk. Dehr ow-toh-MAHT khaht MIGH-neh KAHR-teh neekht mehr kheh-ROWS-geh-geh-bayn.
THEY SAY
Das tut mir leid. Wann ist das passiert, und an welchem Automaten?Dahs toot meer light. Vahn eest dahs puh-SEERT, oont ahn VEL-khem ow-toh-MAH-tayn?
I'm sorry. When did that happen, and at which machine?
They might also say:
Oh, das passiert manchmal. Wann und wo war das?
Oh, dahs puh-SEERT MAHNKH-muhl. Vahn oont voh vahr dahs?
Oh, that happens sometimes. When and where was that?
2
YOU REPLY
Gerade eben, draußen vor der Filiale.
Geh-RAH-deh EH-bayn, DROW-sayn for dehr fee-lee-AH-leh.
Just now, outside in front of the branch.
THEY SAY
Einen Moment, ich schaue nach. Haben Sie einen Ausweis dabei?IGH-nayn moh-MAYNT, eekh SHOW-eh nahkh. KHAH-bayn zee IGH-nayn OW-svighs duh-BIGH?
One moment, I'll have a look. Do you have ID with you?
They might also say:
Ich hole die Karte gleich heraus. Zeigen Sie mir bitte Ihren Ausweis.
Eekh KHOH-leh dee KAHR-teh glighkh kheh-ROWS. TSIGH-gayn zee meer BEE-teh EE-rayn OW-svighs.
I'll get the card out right away. Please show me your ID.
3
YOU REPLY
Ja, hier ist mein Pass.
Yah, kheer eest mighn pahs.
Yes, here is my passport.
THEY SAY
Danke. Hier ist Ihre Karte. Sie funktioniert wieder.DAHN-keh. Kheer eest EE-reh KAHR-teh. Zee foonk-tsee-oh-NEERT VEE-duh.
Thank you. Here is your card. It works again.
4
YOU FINISH
Vielen Dank für Ihre Hilfe!
FEE-layn dahnk fyoor EE-reh KHEEL-feh!
Thank you very much for your help!
THEY SAY
Gern geschehen. Schönen Tag noch!Gehrn geh-SHEH-ayn. SHYOH-nayn tahk nokh!
You're welcome. Have a nice day!
The course is in the app
This dialogue is part of the course “German for life in Germany”: 416 situations with audio, a pronunciation guide and spaced review.
On the website the first dialogue, the 112 category, the rescue phrases and the “Basics” are fully open.
Words worth knowing
Guten
GOO-tayn
adjective
good (in greetings)
Tag
tahk
noun
day
Geldautomat
GEL-tow-toh-muht
noun
cash machine
hat
khaht
verb
has
Karte
KAHR-teh
noun
card
eingezogen
IGHN-geh-tsoh-gayn
verb
moved in
43 more words, with explanations, base forms and tap-a-word help, are in the app.
If you did not understand
Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
KYOH-nayn zee dahs BEE-teh vee-dehr-KHOH-layn?
Can you repeat that, please?
Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?
KYOH-nayn zee BEE-teh LAHNG-zuh-muh SHPREH-khayn?
Can you speak more slowly, please?
Was bedeutet das?
Vahs beh-DOY-tet dahs?
What does this mean?
Similar situations
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