das  Pfund

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/pfʊnt/

⚖️ What Exactly is 'das Pfund'?

The German word das Pfund primarily has two meanings:

• Unit of Weight: It refers to a unit of weight, which today usually corresponds to exactly 500 grams in Germany (🇩🇪). Historically, there were regional differences. It's often used when buying groceries (e.g., Kaffee, Mehl, Butter).
• Unit of Currency: It stands for various currencies, especially the British Pound Sterling (£). Other countries also had or have currencies called Pfund (e.g., Egyptian Pound, Lebanese Pound). 💴

🚨 Attention: In English-speaking countries, a 'pound' (lb) as a unit of weight is about 453.6 grams, not 500 grams!

📚 Grammar of 'das Pfund'

The noun "Pfund" is neuter (sächlich) and takes the article das. It belongs to the strong nouns group.

Notes on the Plural:

• After numerals, the endingless plural "Pfund" is mostly used: z.B. zwei Pfund Kaffee (two pounds of coffee), zehn Pfund Sterling (ten pounds sterling).
• The plural "Pfunde" is used less frequently, e.g., when no specific number precedes it or in a figurative sense: z.B. Er hat viele Pfunde zugelegt (He has gained a lot of pounds / weight - colloquial). Mit seinen Pfunden wuchern (to make the most of one's assets/talents).

Example Sentences

1. Ich hätte gern ein Pfund Hackfleisch.
   (I would like a pound of minced meat.)
2. Der Wechselkurs für das britische Pfund ist heute gefallen.
   (The exchange rate for the British Pound fell today.)
3. Früher wog ein Pfund nicht überall gleich viel.
   (In the past, a pound did not weigh the same everywhere.)
4. Kannst du mir bitte zwei Pfund Zucker mitbringen?
   (Can you please bring me two pounds of sugar?)
5. Sie zahlte die Rechnung in Pfund Sterling.
   (She paid the bill in Pounds Sterling.)

🛒 How 'das Pfund' is Used

You'll often encounter "das Pfund" in everyday life in specific contexts:

• Shopping (beim Einkaufen): Especially for loose goods like Obst (fruit), Gemüse (vegetables), Fleisch (meat), or Kaffee (coffee), people often ask for or are charged by the Pfund ("Ein Pfund Tomaten, bitte!" - "A pound of tomatoes, please!"). Although the kilogram is the official unit, the Pfund (500g) remains very common in spoken language.
• In Recipes (in Rezepten): Older cooking and baking recipes often use quantities in Pfund.
• In Finance (im Finanzwesen): When talking about money, if "Pfund" is mentioned without further specification, it usually refers to the British Pound Sterling (£). In specific contexts, other Pound currencies might be meant.
• Colloquialisms (Umgangssprache): The expression "Pfundskerl" or "Pfunds-/Mordskerl" describes a great, capable, or reliable man. The idiom "mit seinen Pfunden wuchern" means to cleverly use one's talents or advantages.

Distinction: The German (metric) Pfund (500g) must be clearly distinguished from the English pound (lb, approx. 454g). Be careful when cooking or baking with international recipes!

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Pfund'

• For the article 'das': Imagine das weight (Gewicht) on the scale – it's neutral and objective, just like the neuter article das. Or think of das British Royal Family, neutral above politics, using das Pfund as currency.

• For the meaning: Think of weighing things: you put 'half a kilo' (ein halbes Kilo) on the scale, which is das Pfund. For currency, picture someone in London needing das Pfund for a 'pound' cake or to buy tea.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Potential Confusion: Be careful not to confuse the German Pfund (500g) with the English pound (lb ≈ 454g).

🤣 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Sind Sie sicher, dass Sie nur ein Pfund Butter gestohlen haben? Der Ladenbesitzer sagt, es waren mindestens fünf!"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, ich habe meine Waage mitgebracht!"

Translation:

The judge asks the defendant: "Are you sure you only stole one pound of butter? The shop owner says it was at least five!"
The defendant replies: "Your Honor, I brought my scales!"

📝 Poem about the Pfund

Ein Pfund Kaffee, dunkel und fein,
soll heute mein Begleiter sein.
Ein halbes Kilo, das ist klar,
für den Genuss, Jahr für Jahr.

Auch in London, fern und alt,
das Pfund Sterling, es hat Gestalt.
Ob Gewicht, ob Münze blank,
das Pfund hat seinen festen Rang.

Translation:

A pound of coffee, dark and fine,
shall be my companion today.
Half a kilo, that is clear,
for enjoyment, year after year.

Also in London, far and old,
the Pound Sterling, it takes hold.
Whether weight or shiny coin,
das Pfund has its firm join (rank).

❓ Who or What Am I?

Ich messe Mehl, mal bin ich Geld,
in Deutschland halb, in England's Welt
ein wenig leichter, zähl ich dort.
Mal auf dem Markt, mal im Finanzressort.

Mit 'das' steh ich meistens da,
in Küche und auch in UK.

Who am I?

Translation:
I measure flour, sometimes I'm money,
In Germany half (a kilo), in England's world
a little lighter, I count there.
Sometimes at the market, sometimes in finance.

With 'das' I usually stand,
in the kitchen and also in the UK.

(Solution: das Pfund)

💡 Interesting Facts about 'das Pfund'

• Etymology: The word "Pfund" comes from the Latin word pondus, meaning "weight". It entered German via the Old High German pfunt.
• Historical Variety: Before the introduction of the metric system, there were many different Pfund weights in German-speaking regions, varying significantly by location (e.g., the Nuremberg Pfund, the Cologne Pfund).
• Pfund as Talent: The idiom "mit seinen Pfunden wuchern" (to make the most of one's assets) originates from a parable in the New Testament (Matthew 25:14–30), where "Pfund" (or talent) was a unit of money entrusted to servants.