German word

Mark

Pronunciation

IPA/maʁk/

Meaning

  • feminine nounmark

Example

Früher zahlte man mit der Mark.

People used to pay in marks.

Illustration for Mark (mark)

More examples

In den 1990er Jahren zahlte man noch in Mark.

In the 1990s, people still paid in marks.

Core concept

A lasting impression on a surface or token that identifies, blemishes, guides aim, or carries value.

Common phrases

  • die Mark

    mark

  • die Deutsche Mark

    Deutsche Mark

  • in Mark zahlen

    pay in marks

Similar words

Deutsche Mark: Germany's official currency from the postwar period through 2002.
Währung: The currency or monetary system of a country or region.
Geld: General funds used for payment or stored for later use.
Euro: The common currency used today across many European countries.

Definition in German

Mark bezeichnet historisch eine Rechnungseinheit und später eine Währungsbezeichnung, die im alltäglichen Sprachgebrauch besonders für die Deutsche Mark gebraucht wurde.

Word origin

The form Mark is recorded as Old High German marca and Middle High German marc, moving from the idea of a sign or boundary to a measured unit and later a currency.

Usage tips

  • Mark and Marke are different nouns: die Mark is the historical currency, while die Marke commonly means a brand, label, or stamp.

Opposites

Related words

  • D-MarkD-marknoun
  • Markstückmark coinnoun

Word lists with this word