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
der Penny
penny
The colloquial term for the one-cent coin in the United States and Canada.
EXAMPLE
Er hob einen glänzenden Penny vom Gehweg auf.
He picked up a shiny penny from the sidewalk.
der Penny
penny
A colloquial or regional term for the former German coin, the Pfennig.
EXAMPLE
Früher konnte man für ein paar Penny schon ein Eis kaufen.
In the past, you could buy an ice cream for just a few pennies.
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
For an American or Canadian one-cent coin, both words can be appropriate. Cent primarily refers to the currency unit, while Penny is the colloquial term for the individual coin there. When talking about the amount, Cent is appropriate; when referring to the coin itself, Penny is often used.
Penny
Vor dem Laden fand ich einen amerikanischen Penny.
I found an American penny in front of the store.
Cent
Die Briefmarke kostet in den USA nur einen Cent.
The stamp costs only one cent in the United States.
In real life
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