motto / foreign exchange
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motto
A short guiding principle, motto, or slogan that summarizes a personal attitude, a goal, or the principle of action of a group.
„Weniger ist mehr“ ist meine Devise beim Packen für den Urlaub.
'Less is more' is my motto when packing for vacation.
foreign exchange
Means of payment in foreign currency used in international payments. The plural 'Devisen' (foreign exchange) is usually used.
Das Unternehmen benötigt Devisen, um Maschinen aus dem Ausland zu importieren.
The company needs foreign exchange to import machines from abroad.
A guiding principle is often introduced directly after 'die Devise lautet' (the motto is) or 'die Devise ist' (the motto is) with a colon and sometimes in quotation marks.
Für unser Team gilt die Devise: Gemeinsam sind wir stark.
For our team, the motto is: Together we are strong.
When 'Devise' means a motto, it is often used with verbs such as 'haben' (to have) or 'folgen' (to follow). For example, you can say 'eine Devise haben' (to have a motto) or 'einer Devise folgen' (to follow a motto).
Er hat die Devise, jeden Tag etwas Gutes zu tun.
His motto is to do something good every day.
The meaning 'foreign currency' is used almost exclusively in the plural 'die Devisen' (foreign exchange/foreign currency). So if you see the plural, it is about money and finance, not a motto.
Das Land hat nicht genügend Devisen, um die Importe zu bezahlen.
The country does not have enough foreign exchange to pay for the imports.
motto
Motto and Devise can both refer to a short guiding phrase. Motto can also express the theme of an event. Devise sounds more formal and usually places greater emphasis on a principle that a person or group genuinely intends to follow in its actions.
Für unsere tägliche Zusammenarbeit gilt die Devise: Gemeinsam Lösungen finden.
“Think first, then act” is the guiding principle for our daily collaboration.
Das Motto unseres Teamtags lautet: Gemeinsam neue Ideen finden.
“Think first, then act” is the motto of her new information campaign.
