der  Dollar

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈdɔlaʁ/

💵 What does "der Dollar" mean?

Der Dollar (masculine) refers to a currency unit used in various countries. The most famous is the US Dollar ($), the official currency of the United States of America. However, there are other dollar currencies, such as the Canadian Dollar (CAD), the Australian Dollar (AUD), or the New Zealand Dollar (NZD).

In German, "der Dollar" without further specification usually refers to the US Dollar. It's a loanword from English, which in turn derives from the German word "Taler".

🚨 Attention: Although there are different dollar currencies, the article in German is always der.

📊 Grammar and Declension of "der Dollar"

The word "Dollar" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Note on the plural: The plural is often used without 's' when preceded by a number (e.g., zehn Dollar - ten dollars). However, if "Dollar" stands alone or follows indefinite quantifiers, the plural with 's' is frequently used (e.g., viele Dollars - many dollars, die Dollars rollten - the dollars were rolling in). Both forms are common.

Example Sentences:

• Der Dollar ist eine wichtige Weltwährung. (The dollar is an important world currency.)
• Ich habe nur noch einen Dollar. (I only have one dollar left.)
• Mit einem Dollar kommt man hier nicht weit. (You won't get far here with one dollar.)
• Der Wert des Dollars schwankt täglich. (The value of the dollar fluctuates daily.)
• Das kostet fünfzig Dollar. (That costs fifty dollars.)
• Er verdiente Millionen von Dollars. (He earned millions of dollars.)

💲 How to use "der Dollar"?

"Der Dollar" is mainly used in the context of economics, finance, and international trade. Here are some typical use cases:

• Price indications: Especially for international products or services (e.g., software, travel to the USA). Example: Das neue Handy kostet 999 Dollar. (The new phone costs 999 dollars.)
• Currency conversion: In comparison to other currencies like the Euro. Example: Wie viel ist ein Dollar heute in Euro wert? (How much is one dollar worth in Euros today?)
• Economic news: Reports on exchange rates, the American economy, etc. Example: Der Dollar fiel gegenüber dem Euro. (The dollar fell against the Euro.)
• Colloquial speech: Sometimes "Dollar" is used colloquially for "money" in general, especially if there is a connection to America or in films/media.

The symbol for the dollar is $. It is usually placed before the amount (e.g., $100), although in German it is sometimes placed after (100 $).

Distinction: While "Dollar" specifically refers to a currency, "Geld" is the general term for money. "Euro" (€) is the currency of many European countries. "Taler" is a historical predecessor and no longer used as currency today.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Dollar"

1. For the article 'der':

   Think of a strong, powerful man (masculine), maybe 'Derminator' (like Terminator) who deals in Dollars. Der Dollar. The article 'der' often goes with strong, defined things, like the powerful Dollar.

2. For the meaning 'currency':

   Imagine the big DOoR ($) to the USA – you need Dollars to get through it and buy things there. Dollar = US currency.

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms, and Similar Terms

Similar, potentially misleading words:

• Taler: Historical German coin from which the word "Dollar" derives. Not a current currency. (der Taler)
• Thaler: An alternative, older spelling of Taler.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, was ist wertvoller, der Mond oder der Dollar?"
Fritzchen: "Natürlich der Dollar! Den Mond kann man nachts sehen, aber den Dollar nicht mal am helllichten Tag in meiner Tasche!"

English Translation: The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, what is more valuable, the moon or the dollar?"
Fritzchen: "The dollar, of course! You can see the moon at night, but you can't even see the dollar in my pocket during broad daylight!"

📜 Dollar Poem

German:
Der Dollar, grün und mächtig,
Reist um die Welt ganz prächtig.
Mal steigt er hoch, mal fällt er tief,
Ein Kurs, der niemals stille schlief.
In New York, London, Tokio-Stadt,
Man ihn im Portemonnaie hat.
Ein Zeichen ($) nur, doch voller Macht,
Hat Reichtum und auch Not gebracht.

English Translation:
The Dollar, green and mighty,
Travels the world quite sprightly.
Sometimes it rises, sometimes falls low,
A rate that never ceased to flow.
In New York, London, Tokyo town,
It's in the wallet, up and down.
A symbol ($) only, yet full of might,
Has brought both riches and also plight.

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich komme aus Amerika, bin aber weltweit bekannt,
Mein Zeichen ist ein S mit Strich, in jedem Land.
Man braucht mich für Geschäfte, groß und klein,
Mein Artikel ist männlich, wer kann ich sein?

English Translation:
I come from America, but am known worldwide,
My symbol is an S with a line, seen far and wide.
You need me for business, both large and small,
My article is masculine ('der'), who am I, after all?

Solution: der Dollar (the Dollar)

💡 Interesting Facts about the Dollar

• Etymology (Wortherkunft): The word "Dollar" originates from the German "Joachimsthaler", a silver coin from St. Joachimsthal in Bohemia (now Jáchymov, Czech Republic). This became "Taler" and, in Low German/Dutch, "Daler", which was then adopted into English as "Dollar".
• Symbol ($): The origin of the dollar sign ($) is not definitively clear. One popular theory suggests it evolved from the letters U and S (for United States) written on top of each other. Another theory traces it back to the symbol for the Spanish Peso (P).
• World Reserve Currency (Weltleitwährung): The US Dollar is considered the world's most important reserve and transaction currency. Many commodities, such as crude oil, are traded internationally in dollars.