moss / cash
Loading your saved state.
moss
A group of small, usually green plants that often grow in dense cushions in damp and shady places on the ground, on rocks, or on tree bark.
Die alten Steine im Wald waren vollständig mit weichem Moos bewachsen.
The old stones in the forest were completely covered with soft moss.
cash
Colloquial for money.
Ohne Moos ist hier leider nichts los.
No cash, no fun here, unfortunately.
The two meanings of 'Moos' (moss/cash) are easy to distinguish. If people are talking about nature, forests, or plants, it means the plant. If it is about money, paying, or financial problems, the colloquial meaning is intended.
Die Steine am Bachufer sind mit grünem Moos bedeckt.
The stones on the bank of the stream are covered with green moss.
The meaning 'Geld' (money) is purely colloquial. It is used in informal conversations with friends or family, but never in formal or written contexts.
Was kostet der Eintritt? Hast du genug Moos dabei?
How much is admission? Do you have enough cash with you?
A very well-known and common saying is 'Ohne Moos nichts los!' (no cash, no fun). It means that without money, you can't do or achieve anything.
Du willst am Wochenende nach Berlin? Denk dran: Ohne Moos nichts los!
You want to go to Berlin this weekend? Remember: no cash, no fun!
In the botanical meaning, 'Moos' (moss) is a mass noun, similar to 'Wasser' (water) or 'Sand' (sand). It is therefore usually used in the singular and often without an article when an indefinite amount is meant.
Im Schatten unter den Bäumen wächst viel Moos.
A lot of moss grows in the shade under the trees.
money
Both words can mean available money, but Geld is the neutral term. In this meaning, Moos is colloquial and deliberately casual. Use Geld in factual or formal situations; among friends, Moos can be appropriate when you want the statement to sound informal.
Für die Reparatur muss ich noch Moos von meinem Konto abheben.
I still need to withdraw some cash from my account for the repair.
Für die Reparatur muss ich noch Geld von meinem Konto abheben.
I still need to withdraw some money from my account for the repair.
