Bedeutung
To receive a fine for a parking violation.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Ordnungsamt' is the municipal authority responsible for issuing these tickets. They are often seen as more 'pedantic' than the regular police. In Austria, a ticket issued on the spot is often called an 'Organstrafverfügung' or 'Organmandat'. It sounds much more formal. Swiss fines are famously high. A 'Strafzettel' for a minor speeding offense can cost hundreds of francs. In Berlin, parking is a chaotic battle. Getting a 'Strafzettel' is almost considered a rite of passage for residents.
Use 'Knöllchen' for friends
If you want to sound more like a native, use 'Knöllchen' when complaining to friends. It makes you sound less like a textbook.
Watch the 'n'
Don't forget the 'n' in 'einen'. It's the most common grammar mistake for learners.
Bedeutung
To receive a fine for a parking violation.
Use 'Knöllchen' for friends
If you want to sound more like a native, use 'Knöllchen' when complaining to friends. It makes you sound less like a textbook.
Watch the 'n'
Don't forget the 'n' in 'einen'. It's the most common grammar mistake for learners.
The 'Ordnungsamt' is not the Police
In Germany, parking is usually handled by the city (Ordnungsamt), not the police. Knowing this distinction helps in formal conversations.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the article and the noun.
Oh nein! Ich habe ______ ______ bekommen.
Strafzettel is masculine, and in the accusative case, 'ein' becomes 'einen'.
Which verb is most natural for receiving a ticket?
Hast du gestern ein Knöllchen ______?
'Bekommen' is the standard verb for receiving a fine.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Warum bist du so sauer? B: Ich habe einen ______ bekommen, weil ich im Halteverbot stand.
A 'Strafzettel' is what you get for parking in a 'Halteverbot' (no-stopping zone).
Match the phrase to the situation.
You find a yellow slip on your car windshield.
The yellow slip is the physical 'Strafzettel'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenOh nein! Ich habe ______ ______ bekommen.
Strafzettel is masculine, and in the accusative case, 'ein' becomes 'einen'.
Hast du gestern ein Knöllchen ______?
'Bekommen' is the standard verb for receiving a fine.
A: Warum bist du so sauer? B: Ich habe einen ______ bekommen, weil ich im Halteverbot stand.
A 'Strafzettel' is what you get for parking in a 'Halteverbot' (no-stopping zone).
You find a yellow slip on your car windshield.
The yellow slip is the physical 'Strafzettel'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenNo, it is an 'Ordnungswidrigkeit' (administrative offense), not a 'Straftat' (crime). It won't show up on your criminal record.
Yes! If you ignore a red light or ride in a pedestrian zone, you can get a 'Strafzettel'.
Because 'Strafzettel' is masculine and is the direct object (accusative) of the verb 'bekommen'.
You will receive a 'Mahnung' (reminder) with extra fees, and eventually a 'Bußgeldbescheid'.
It's understood everywhere, but most common in the West and North. In the South, people might just say 'Zettel'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
ein Knöllchen bekommen
synonymTo get a ticket (informal)
abschleppen lassen
builds onTo have (a car) towed
ein Bußgeld zahlen
similarTo pay a fine
schwarzfahren
specialized formTo ride without a ticket
Punkte in Flensburg bekommen
builds onTo get points on your license
