German Phrase
Gibt's eine Provision?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether a commission (a payment based on sales or performance) will be paid. It is a typical business‑oriented question used when negotiating a job, freelance contract, or sales deal.
When to use
Use this phrase in a sales meeting, during a job interview for a position that involves commissions, or when discussing the terms of a freelance project. It works best in informal or semi‑formal spoken contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Gibt'seineProvision?
Contraction "Gibt's"
"Gibt's" is the spoken contraction of "Gibt es". It is used in informal spoken German to ask if something exists.
Impersonal verb "geben"
The verb "geben" is used impersonally (third‑person singular) to indicate the existence of something, similar to English "there is/are".
Indefinite article "eine"
"Provision" is a feminine noun, so it takes the indefinite article "eine" in the nominative case.
Word order
In yes/no questions the verb comes first, followed by the subject (here the dummy "es" is omitted in the contraction).
🗨In Conversation
Gibt's eine Provision?
Is there a commission?
Ja, wir zahlen 5 % des Umsatzes als Provision.
Yes, we pay a 5 % commission on sales.
✕Common Mistakes
Gibt eine Provision?
The dummy "es" is required; the correct form is "Gibt es …" or the contraction "Gibt's …".
Gibt's ein Provision?
"Provision" is feminine, so the article must be "eine".
Gibt's eine Provison?
Spelling error – the correct spelling is "Provision".
↔Alternatives
Gibt es eine Provision?
Is there a commission?
Erhält man eine Provision?
Does one receive a commission?
Wird eine Provision gezahlt?
Is a commission paid?
Cultural Tip
In German business culture it is common to discuss commission openly, but phrasing it politely (e.g., "Könnten Sie mir sagen, ob eine Provision vorgesehen ist?") shows professionalism. Note that "Provision" can also refer to broker fees, so make sure the context is clear.