das Pfund
pound
A unit of weight that corresponds to 500 grams in Germany and many other countries.
EXAMPLE
Ich hätte gern ein Pfund Hackfleisch, bitte.
I'd like a pound of ground meat, please.
das Pfund
pound
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Meanings
das Pfund
pound
The currency unit of the United Kingdom and some other countries (pound sterling).
EXAMPLE
Ein Pfund Sterling kostet heute etwa 1,18 Euro.
One pound sterling costs about 1.18 euros today.
das Pfund
asset / strength
In a figurative sense, a special ability, talent, or advantage that someone has and can use. Often in the expression 'mit seinen Pfunden wuchern'.
EXAMPLE
Seine außergewöhnlichen Sprachkenntnisse sind ein echtes Pfund für das Unternehmen.
His exceptional language skills are a real asset for the company.
Usage tips
False friend
The German unit of weight 'Pfund' corresponds to 500 grams. It is not the same as the English 'pound', which weighs only about 454 grams.
EXAMPLE
Für den Kuchen brauche ich genau ein Pfund Mehl.
I need exactly one Pfund of flour for the cake.
Plural forms
The plural form depends on the meaning. With weight and currency amounts, it often remains 'Pfund'. But when talking about the pounds one wants to lose, or about abilities, you use 'Pfunde'.
EXAMPLE
Das kostet zwanzig Pfund.
That costs twenty pounds.
Context clue
You can tell from context whether the unit of weight or the currency is meant. Words like 'Gramm' (grams), 'Kilo' (kilo), or 'Fleisch' (meat) point to weight. Words like 'bezahlen' (to pay), 'kosten' (to cost), or 'Bank' (bank) point to the currency.
EXAMPLE
Ein Pfund Kirschen kostet heute drei Euro.
A pound of cherries costs three euros today.
Use when shopping
When ordering an amount, 'Pfund' is placed directly before the noun, without the preposition 'von' (of). This phrasing is especially common at the butcher's or at the market.
EXAMPLE
Ich nehme bitte ein Pfund Tomaten.
I'll take a pound of tomatoes, please.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'mit seinen Pfunden wuchern' means to use one's talents or advantages skillfully. The possessive pronoun is adapted to the person.
EXAMPLE
Mit ihrer Kreativität kann sie bei diesem Projekt wirklich wuchern.
With her creativity, she can really play to her strengths in this project.
Compare with
Pfund vs Stärke
strength / starch
Stärke and Pfund can both refer to a special ability or advantage. Stärke can be used freely and neutrally. In this meaning, Pfund is figurative and appears especially in the fixed expression „mit seinen Pfunden wuchern“ (to make clever use of one’s strengths) when someone skillfully uses their advantages.
Pfund
Bei Verhandlungen kann er mit dem Pfund seiner ruhigen Art wuchern.
In negotiations, he can make clever use of his calm manner as an asset.
Stärke
Seine ruhige Art ist bei Verhandlungen eine besondere Stärke.
His calm manner is a particular strength in negotiations.
In real life
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