01
die Währung
currency
The official legal means of payment of a country or a community of states.
example
Der Euro ist die gemeinsame Währung vieler europäischer Länder.
The euro is the common currency of many European countries.
die Währung
currency
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The word 'Währung' (currency) is related to 'währen' (to last) and 'Wert' (value). So it originally describes something that has a stable, guaranteed value.
EXAMPLE
Eine stabile Währung ist wichtig für die Wirtschaft eines Landes.
A stable currency is important for a country's economy.
Typical collocations
In connection with money, 'Währung' (currency) is often combined with adjectives such as 'lokal' (local), 'fremd' (foreign), 'stabil' (stable), or 'schwach' (weak). Common verbs are 'umrechnen' (to convert) or 'wechseln' (to exchange).
EXAMPLE
Vor der Reise müssen wir noch Geld in die lokale Währung wechseln.
Before the trip, we still need to exchange money into the local currency.
Context clue
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that it is not about money. Instead, abstract things like 'Daten' (data), 'Wissen' (knowledge), or 'Vertrauen' (trust) are described as valuable.
EXAMPLE
In der digitalen Welt sind persönliche Daten eine wichtige Währung.
In the digital world, personal data is an important currency.
Fixed expressions
In the figurative meaning, the phrases 'als harte Währung gelten' (to count as hard currency) or 'die neue Währung sein' (to be the new currency) are often used. This expresses that something is especially valuable.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Unternehmen gilt Zuverlässigkeit als harte Währung.
In this company, reliability counts as hard currency.
Compare with
Währung vs Geld
money
'das Geld' and 'die Währung' both have to do with paying. 'Geld' is used in everyday life for coins, bills, or generally for what you use to buy something. 'Währung' means the official monetary system of a country or a community of states, for example euros or dollars. Learners may confuse the words because both describe means of payment. In practice: when shopping, you usually talk about 'Geld'; when comparing countries or exchanging money, you are more likely to use 'Währung'.
Währung
In der Schweiz ist der Franken die Währung.
In Switzerland, the franc is the currency.
Geld
Vor der Reise hebt meine Nachbarin noch Geld am Automaten ab.
Before the trip, my neighbor withdraws some money from the ATM.
In real life
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