adjective
due, payable
B1
Fällig means due or payable, used for debts, payments or deadlines that are now owed or becoming due. It is an adjective (not gradable) and commonly appears with sein (z.B. 'ist fällig'). Not reflexive; no special preposition. Use for financial or temporal obligations.
Examples
Die Rechnung war fällig, obwohl das Unternehmen um mehr Zeit bat.
The invoice was due even though the company asked for more time.
Die Zahlung ist am Monatsende fällig und sofort zahlbar.
The payment is payable at the end of the month and must be made immediately.
Die Rechnung ist fällig.
The bill is due.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a calendar date with a stamp that says 'DUE' — when the stamp appears, the bill is fällig.
Think 'falling' (due) — a date 'falls' into place when something is due.
Notes
Used for deadlines, payments, or obligations (e.g., Rechnungen, Raten). It is not commonly used in comparative forms.