peanuts
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peanuts
Colloquial for a very small, insignificant sum of money that is out of proportion to the value or effort involved.
Für so ein großes Projekt sind zehntausend Euro doch Peanuts.
For such a big project, ten thousand euros is really peanuts.
peanuts
The English term for Erdnüsse (peanuts), which is sometimes also used in German, especially in the context of snacks or imported products.
Zum Aperitif gab es gesalzene Peanuts und Oliven.
For the aperitif, there were salted peanuts and olives.
'Peanuts' is a word borrowed directly from English. While it literally means 'Erdnüsse' (peanuts), German has also developed the additional figurative, colloquial meaning for a small sum of money.
Er sagte, er würde den Job nicht für Peanuts machen.
He said he wouldn't do the job for peanuts.
You can easily tell which meaning is meant from the context. If it is about money, salaries, costs, or prices, it refers to the sum of money. If it is about food, snacks, recipes, or allergies, it refers to peanuts.
Der Gewinn aus dem Verkauf war im Vergleich zum Aufwand nur Peanuts.
The profit from the sale was only peanuts compared to the effort.
The meaning 'geringe Geldsumme' (small sum of money) is clearly colloquial. In formal business documents or negotiations, you would instead speak of a 'geringen Betrag' (small amount) or an 'unbedeutenden Summe' (insignificant sum).
Das Budget für die Marketingkampagne sind doch nur Peanuts.
The budget for the marketing campaign is just peanuts.
In the money-related meaning, 'Peanuts' is usually treated as a plural word that refers to a single sum. It often appears with the verb 'sein' (to be) in sentences like 'Das ist/sind Peanuts' (That's peanuts) or in the phrase 'etwas für Peanuts bekommen' (to get something for peanuts).
Er hat das alte Auto für Peanuts gekauft.
He bought the old car for peanuts.
