Breakdown of Brauchen Sie eine Spendenquittung für die Steuer?
ein
a, an (eine)
Sie
you (formal)
brauchen
to need
für
for
die Steuer
the tax
die Spendenquittung
the donation receipt
Questions & Answers about Brauchen Sie eine Spendenquittung für die Steuer?
Why is there an -n- in the middle of Spendenquittung? Is it because "donations" is plural?
The -n- is a linking element (Fugenlaut) that connects Spende and Quittung. While it looks identical to the plural form (die Spenden), linking elements don't necessarily carry a plural meaning. They exist mainly to make compound words flow better when spoken. Nouns ending in -e (like Spende) very commonly take an -n- as a linking element.
Does the -n- linking element in Spendenquittung depend on the second word, Quittung?
No, linking elements are dictated by the first word in the compound (here, Spende). The second word (Quittung) does the heavy lifting for the grammar: it determines the gender (die) and the plural ending of the entire compound noun, but it doesn't affect which linking element is used.
Why is Steuer in the singular here? In English, we usually say "for taxes."
In German, it's very common to use the singular die Steuer when referring to tax matters in general or to your tax return (for example, die Steuer machen means "to do one's taxes"). Be careful with the gender, though: die Steuer is "the tax", but the neuter noun das Steuer is "the steering wheel"!
Just a quick refresher: since Steuer is feminine, why doesn't the article change here?
The case here is strictly controlled by the preposition für, which always requires the accusative case. Since the accusative article for feminine nouns is die, it remains für die Steuer.
Learn Brauchen Sie eine Spendenquittung für die Steuer and more in German
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free