der  Euro

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɔʏʁo/

💰 What does "der Euro" mean?

Der Euro refers to the official currency of the European Monetary Union (EMU), used in many member states of the European Union. Es ist die Haupteinheit des Geldsystems in diesen Ländern (It is the main unit of the monetary system in these countries).

There is only one article for the word Euro when referring to the currency unit: der (masculine).

Symbol: €

Colloquially, the plural 'Euros' is sometimes used for individual coins or banknotes, but the standard plural is 'Euro'.

📊 Grammar of "der Euro" in Detail

The noun "Euro" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Declension Singular

⚠️ The genitive singular can be both 'Euro' and 'Euros'. 'Euro' is more common, especially in formal contexts or when referring to value ("der Wert des Euro" - the value of the Euro). 'Euros' can occur but is less frequent.

Declension Plural

The plural is usually Euro, especially for prices or amounts of money.

Sometimes the plural Euros is used to refer to individual coins or banknotes, or when emphasizing the number. This is more colloquial.

Example Sentences

1. Das Buch kostet zwanzig Euro.
   (The book costs twenty euros.)
2. Ich habe nur noch fünf Euro in meinem Portemonnaie.
   (I only have five euros left in my wallet.)
3. Der Wert des Euro ist leicht gesunken.
   (The value of the Euro has decreased slightly.)
4. Mit dem Euro kann man in vielen Ländern bezahlen.
   (You can pay with the Euro in many countries.)
5. Er sammelt Münzen und hat viele verschiedene Euros.
   (He collects coins and has many different Euros.)

📝 How to use "der Euro"?

"Der Euro" is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Price indications: "Der Kaffee kostet drei Euro." (The coffee costs three euros.)
• Economic news: "Der Euro hat gegenüber dem Dollar an Wert gewonnen." (The Euro has gained value against the dollar.)
• Travel: "In Italien bezahlt man mit dem Euro." (In Italy, you pay with the Euro.)
• General discussions about money: "Wie viele Euro hast du dabei?" (How many euros do you have with you?)

Important: When stating amounts of money, the plural form usually has no ending: fünf Euro, zehn Euro, hundert Euro. The plural 'Euros' is uncommon for amounts but can refer to individual coins/banknotes: "Ich habe drei Ein-Euro-Münzen und zwei Zwei-Euros-Münzen gefunden." (I found three one-euro coins and two two-euro coins.)

There is little risk of confusion, as the word is almost exclusively used for the currency.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Euro"

Article Mnemonic: Think: DER rich man needs DER EURo. The ending '-o' often indicates masculine nouns in German (like der Auto - careful, exception!), but here the association with male money owners or the '-ro' ending might help. Or simply remember: DER banknote (der Geldschein).

Meaning Mnemonic: The Euro rolls through Europe. The word itself strongly resembles "Europe", the continent where the currency is primarily used.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for the Euro

🚨 Watch out for Confusion:

• Europa (das): The continent or the European Union. Der Euro is the currency in Europa (or parts of it).

😂 A little Joke

German: Warum nehmen Skelette kein Geld an?

Weil sie keinen Cent wert sind!

English: Why don't skeletons accept money?

Because they aren't worth a cent! (Okay, it's about Cents, not Euros, but close enough 😉)

German: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einem Euro und einem Optimisten?

Der Euro ist noch etwas wert!

English: What's the difference between a Euro and an optimist?

The Euro is still worth something!

✍️ Poem about the Euro

German:
Der Euro, rund und auch als Schein,
in vielen Ländern ist er fein.
Mal steigt sein Wert, mal fällt er tief,
\man ihm hängt viel, was einst noch schlief.
Ob Kaffee, Brot, ob Miete,
er ist des Handels Niete.
Man braucht ihn hier, man braucht ihn dort,
an fast jedem europäischen Ort.

English Translation:
The Euro, round and as a note,
in many countries, it's afloat.
Sometimes its value rises high, sometimes low it lies,
so much depends on it, that once just closed its eyes.
For coffee, bread, or rent you pay,
it's commerce' rivet, come what may.
It's needed here, it's needed there,
in almost every European square.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich habe viele Brüder, doch wir sind meist namenlos im Plural.
Ich trage Sterne, Brücken, Tore – ein Symbol für ein großes Tal.
Man braucht mich täglich, um zu kaufen,
in vielen Ländern kann ich laufen.

Was bin ich?

English:
I have many brothers, yet we are usually nameless in the plural.
I carry stars, bridges, gates – a symbol for a large valley (union).
I am needed daily for buying things,
In many countries, my currency sings.

What am I? (... Der Euro / The Euro)

✨ Further Information

• Introduction: Der Euro was introduced as book money on January 1, 1999, and as cash on January 1, 2002.
• Symbol (€): The Euro symbol € is inspired by the Greek letter Epsilon (ε) – referencing Europe – and has two parallel lines intended to symbolize stability.
• Word Composition: The word "Euro" is a short form of "Europa" (Europe).
• Subdivision: Ein Euro equals 100 Cent.