German Phrase
Steck deine Karte in den Geldautomaten.
Meaning
This is an informal command telling someone to insert their bank card into the ATM. It uses the familiar ‘du’ form and the direct‑object construction typical for short, practical instructions.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are at a bank, a shopping centre or any public place with an ATM and you need to give a quick, informal instruction – for example to a friend, a child, or a colleague.
✦Grammar Breakdown
SteckdeineKarteindenGeldautomaten
Imperativ (du)
‘Steck’ is the du‑imperative of the verb ‘stecken’, used for giving a direct command.
Possessivpronomen
‘deine’ agrees with the feminine noun ‘Karte’ in the accusative case.
Akkusativ nach ‘in’ (Richtung)
When ‘in’ expresses motion into something, it governs the accusative: ‘in den Geldautomaten’.
Maskulin im Akkusativ
‘der Geldautomat’ (nominative) becomes ‘den Geldautomaten’ in the accusative.
🗨In Conversation
Wie kann ich Geld abheben?
How can I withdraw cash?
Steck deine Karte in den Geldautomaten.
Insert your card into the ATM.
✕Common Mistakes
Stecke deine Karte in den Geldautomaten.
‘Stecke’ is also correct, but the shorter ‘Steck’ is the usual du‑imperative; learners often add an unnecessary ‘e’ after the verb stem.
Steck deine Karte in der Geldautomat.
After ‘in’ indicating motion, the noun must be in the accusative: ‘den Geldautomaten’. Using the nominative ‘der Geldautomat’ is a case error.
Steck dein Karte in den Geldautomaten.
The possessive must agree with the feminine noun: ‘deine Karte’, not ‘dein Karte’.
↔Alternatives
Stecke deine Karte in den Geldautomaten.
Insert your card into the ATM.
Führe deine Karte in den Geldautomaten ein.
Insert your card into the ATM.
Bitte legen Sie Ihre Karte in den Geldautomaten.
Please insert your card into the ATM.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries ATMs usually have a slot for chip‑cards that you push in completely – you don’t swipe the magnetic stripe. While the card is in the machine, cover the keypad when you type your PIN to protect it from onlookers. Also, it’s common to say the formal version ‘Stecken Sie Ihre Karte …’ when speaking to strangers or older people.