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German Phrase

Gibt's eine Stornogebühr?

/ɡɪpt͡s ˈaɪ̯nə ˈʃtɔʁnoˌɡeːbʏʁ/
Meaning"Is there a cancellation fee?"
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Meaning

The speaker is asking whether a fee will be charged for cancelling a reservation, ticket, or service. It is a neutral, polite inquiry often used in business or travel contexts.

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When to use

Use this question when you are booking a hotel room, a flight, a concert ticket, or any service that might have a cancellation policy. It works both in spoken conversation and in written e‑mails to service providers.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Gibt'seineStornogebühr?

1

Gibt's = Gibt es

The contraction "Gibt's" combines the verb "gibt" (from "geben") and the existential pronoun "es"; it is common in spoken German.

2

Verb‑first question

German yes/no questions place the finite verb in first position, followed by the subject (here omitted because "es" is part of the contraction).

3

Indefinite article "eine"

"Stornogebühr" is a feminine noun, so the correct indefinite article is "eine".

4

Compound noun "Stornogebühr"

A compound of "Storno" (cancellation) and "Gebühr" (fee). The stress falls on the first part: "STOR-no‑gebühr".

🗨In Conversation

A

Gibt's eine Stornogebühr?

Is there a cancellation fee?

Ja, bei einer Stornierung innerhalb von 48 Stunden fällt eine Gebühr von 20 % des Gesamtpreises an.

Yes, if you cancel within 48 hours a fee of 20 % of the total price will be charged.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Gibt's ein Stornogebühr?

    "Stornogebühr" is feminine, so the correct article is "eine".

  • Gibt es Stornogebühr?

    Missing the indefinite article; the sentence sounds incomplete.

  • Gibt's eine Stornogebühr?

    In very formal writing avoid the contraction and use "Gibt es eine Stornogebühr?".

↔Alternatives

  • Fällt eine Stornogebühr an?

    Will a cancellation fee apply?

  • Muss ich für die Stornierung bezahlen?

    Do I have to pay for the cancellation?

  • Gibt es Kosten bei einer Stornierung?

    Are there costs when cancelling?

de

Cultural Tip

In German‑speaking countries cancellation policies are usually spelled out in the contract. The term "Stornogebühr" is standard, but you may also encounter "Stornokosten" or "Stornierungsgebühr". When asking, keep the tone polite and, if you write an e‑mail, add a brief thank‑you (e.g., "Vielen Dank im Voraus").