penny
der Pfennig, die Pfennige
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penny
A former German coin and monetary unit that was equal to one hundredth of a mark until the introduction of the euro.
Der alte Pfennig ist heute nur noch für Sammler interessant.
Today, the old penny is of interest only to collectors.
penny
Figuratively, a very small amount of money, regardless of the currency; usually used in negative expressions.
Für dieses alte Radio würde ich keinen Pfennig bezahlen.
I wouldn't pay a penny for this old radio.
to the penny
Exactly down to the smallest amount of money; without rounding or deviation.
Die Kassiererin zahlte mir den Betrag auf den Pfennig genau aus.
The cashier paid me the exact amount, to the penny.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Pfennige |
| genitive | des Pfennigs |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Pfennig | die Pfennige |
| accusative | den Pfennig | die Pfennige |
| dative | dem Pfennig | den Pfennigen |
| genitive | des Pfennigs | der Pfennige |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Pfennig' (penny) is now mainly found in historical texts, stories about former monetary systems, and fixed expressions. In current situations, the word is often deliberately associated with a bygone era.
Im Museum kann man noch einen Pfennig aus der Zeit der Mark sehen.
In the museum, you can still see a penny from the time of the mark.
For the meaning of a very small amount of money, 'Pfennig' (penny) is especially common in negative expressions. Typical patterns are 'keinen Pfennig bezahlen' (not pay a penny) and 'keinen Pfennig wert sein' (not be worth a penny).
Das alte Sofa ist wirklich keinen Pfennig wert.
The old sofa really isn't worth a penny.
In 'auf den Pfennig genau' (to the penny), 'auf' (on) is used with the accusative. The expression refers to an exact calculation down to the smallest amount. The phrase is usually used after verbs relating to paying, calculating, or billing.
Der Händler rechnete den Gesamtbetrag auf den Pfennig genau aus.
The shopkeeper calculated the total amount exactly, to the penny.
