pfenning

A child saves a pfenning in a piggy bank.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A former monetary unit of Germany: "pfenning" (also spelled "pfennig") refers to a small coin that was used as a subdivision of the German mark, equal to one hundredth of a mark. It was in circulation before the adoption of the euro.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He found an old pfenning in his grandfather's coin collection. (A single unit of the former German currency.)
  • The price was listed as 50 pfenning, but now it would be worth less than a euro. (A specific amount of the old currency.)

Advanced Usage

• "not a pfenning": a phrase meaning not even a small amount of money; nothing at all.
  • She wouldn't give him a pfenning for his old car. (She refused to pay any money for it.)

Variants and Related Words

• Pfennig (n): the more common spelling of the same word, referring to the same coin.
  • The pfennig was used in Germany until 2002. (The coin was legal tender before the euro.)

Synonyms

• Cent: a small unit of currency in many countries (though not exactly equivalent in value).
• Penny: a small coin, often used as a colloquial term for a low-value coin.

Related Idioms

• A pfenning for your thoughts: a variation of "a penny for your thoughts," used to ask someone what they are thinking about.
  • You seem lost in thought — a pfenning for your thoughts? (What are you thinking about?)