01
der Penny
penny
A coin and unit of currency in the United Kingdom equal to one hundredth of a pound sterling.
example
Die alte Telefonzelle funktionierte noch mit Penny-Münzen.
The old phone booth still worked with penny coins.
der Penny
penny
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Geographic context
'Penny' is a loanword from English. The context tells you which country is meant: most often it refers to Great Britain (pounds) or the USA (dollars).
EXAMPLE
In Großbritannien bezahlt man mit Pfund und Penny.
In Great Britain, people pay with pounds and pennies.
Not a euro cent
In present-day Germany, the euro-cent coin is normally not called 'Penny' (penny). The word is used almost exclusively for foreign or historical currencies.
EXAMPLE
Für den Einkaufswagen brauche ich eine Ein-Euro-Münze, kein Penny.
For the shopping cart, I need a one-euro coin, not a penny.
Historical meaning
When Germans use 'Penny' (penny) in connection with German currency, it is colloquial and usually refers to the old 'Pfennig' from the time before the euro. Today, this usage is rare.
EXAMPLE
Meine Oma erzählt manchmal, was sie früher für einen Penny kaufen konnte.
My grandma sometimes tells us what she used to be able to buy for a penny.
Compare with
Penny vs Cent
cent
'der Cent' and 'der Penny' are both small units of money and can be one hundredth of a larger currency. The difference depends on the country and the currency. 'Cent' is used, for example, with the euro and also with dollar currencies. 'Penny' belongs to the pound in the United Kingdom; in the United States and Canada, it often means the one-cent coin. The words can be confused because both refer to very small amounts of money. In Germany and with the euro, 'Cent' is the normal word; with British money, 'Penny' is more precise.
Penny
Vor der Reise nach London legt Mia ein paar Pennys in ihr Portemonnaie.
Before the trip to London, Mia puts a few pennies in her wallet.
Cent
An der Kasse fehlten mir noch zehn Cent.
At the checkout, I was still short ten cents.
In real life
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