German word

Pfennig

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈp͡fɛnɪç/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpenny

Example

Für diesen alten Stuhl gebe ich keinen Pfennig.

I wouldn't pay a penny for this old chair.

Illustration for Pfennig (penny)

More examples

Er sparte jeden Pfennig für die Reise.

He saved each penny for the trip.

Core concept

A single tiny coin that can stand for money so insignificant that it hardly counts.

Common phrases

  • keinen Pfennig wert

    not worth a penny

  • auf den Pfennig genau

    to the penny

  • bis auf den letzten Pfennig

    down to the last penny

Similar words

Cent: A small coin worth one hundredth of a currency unit.
Kleingeld: Small coins carried as loose change, rather than bills or larger denominations.

Definition in German

Historische Bezeichnung für eine einzelne kleine Münze oder für einen sehr geringen Geldbetrag; heute nur noch in festen Wendungen gebräuchlich.

Word origin

German Pfennig comes from Middle High German pfenning and is cognate with English penny, both referring to a small coin.

Usage tips

  • Pfennig is masculine, with the plural Pfennige, and is now mainly encountered in established expressions rather than ordinary price descriptions.

Related words

  • Pfennigfuchspenny-pinchernoun
  • pfennigweisein penny unitsadverb
  • Pfennigbetragpenny amountnoun

Word lists with this word