der  Groschen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɡʁoːʃn̩/

💰 What does 'der Groschen' mean?

Der Groschen is a term for various historical coins in German-speaking countries and beyond. Originally a silver coin in the Middle Ages, the name was later often used for a coin representing one-tenth of a larger currency unit (e.g., 10 Pfennig during the D-Mark era or the former Austrian Schilling).

Although the Groschen has largely disappeared as a means of payment, it lives on in many idioms.

It only takes the masculine article der.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Groschen

The noun „Groschen“ is masculine.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Example Sentences

• Früher kostete ein Brötchen nur wenige Groschen. (In the past, a bread roll only cost a few Groschen.)
• Er sparte jeden Groschen für eine größere Anschaffung. (He saved every Groschen for a larger purchase.)
• Der alte Mann zeigte mir einen silbernen Groschen aus dem Kaiserreich. (The old man showed me a silver Groschen from the German Empire.)
• Plötzlich fiel bei ihr der Groschen! (Suddenly, the penny dropped for her! / She suddenly understood! - Idiom)

🗣️ How is 'Groschen' used?

The term „Groschen“ is mainly used today in a historical context or in fixed idioms.

• Historically: When talking about old currencies (e.g., in Germany before the Euro, in Austria before the Euro). Example: "Die Telefonzelle funktionierte mit Groschen." (The phone booth worked with Groschen.)
• Idioms:
  • "Der Groschen ist gefallen": (Literally: The Groschen has dropped) Meaning: Someone suddenly understood something ('The penny dropped').
  • "Seinen Groschen zu etwas dazugeben": (Literally: To add one's Groschen to something) Meaning: To give one's (often unsolicited) opinion or comment ('To put one's two cents in').
  • "Keinen roten Groschen wert sein": (Literally: Not worth a red Groschen) Meaning: To be completely worthless ('Not worth a red cent').
  • "Jeden Groschen zweimal umdrehen": (Literally: To turn every Groschen over twice) Meaning: To be very frugal, to have to watch one's money carefully.

In modern language, people tend to say „Cent“ or „Zehn-Cent-Stück“ instead of „Groschen“ when referring to a small coin. Using „Groschen“ today often sounds a bit old-fashioned or deliberately refers to the idioms.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Taler or der Pfennig – other (historical) coins are often masculine in German. Der Groschen fits this pattern.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a 'gross' (large/thick) old coin compared to a tiny Pfennig. This relates to its Latin origin 'grossus' (thick/large) and helps remember the coin meaning.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words:

• Groschengrab: (Literally: Groschen grave) Colloquial term for a machine (especially gambling or vending) that costs a lot of money without much return.
• Groschenroman / Groschenheft: (Literally: Groschen novel / Groschen booklet) Cheap, trivial pulp fiction, often costing only a few Groschen in the past.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Enkel den Opa: "Opa, was konnte man sich früher für einen Groschen kaufen?"
Opa: "Ach, mein Junge, damals konnte man für einen Groschen in einen Laden gehen und bekam Schokolade, Bonbons, ein kleines Spielzeug und Kaugummi dafür."
Enkel: "Wow! Und warum geht das heute nicht mehr?"
Opa: "Zu viele Überwachungskameras."

--- Translation ---

Grandson asks Grandpa: "Grandpa, what could you buy for a Groschen back in the day?"
Grandpa: "Oh, my boy, back then you could go into a shop with one Groschen and get chocolate, sweets, a small toy, and chewing gum for it."
Grandson: "Wow! And why isn't that possible today?"
Grandpa: "Too many security cameras."

📜 A Groschen Poem

Ein Groschen klein, aus alter Zeit,
liegt in der Hand, macht sich bereit.
Erzählt von Kauf und Handel leis,
von Sparsamkeit und Lebenskreis.

Mal war er viel, mal fast nichts wert,
hat manchen Wunsch erfüllt, verehrt.
Heut' liegt er still, ein Souvenir,
der alte Groschen, einst war er hier.

--- Translation ---

A Groschen small, from times of old,
Lies in the hand, a story told.
Of purchase, trade, it softly speaks,
Of thriftiness and life's techniques.

Sometimes worth much, sometimes near naught,
Fulfilled some wishes, dearly sought.
Today it rests, a souvenir,
The old Groschen, once it was here.

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich war mal zehn Pfennig wert,
hab manchen Wunsch erfüllt, begehrt.
Falle ich, versteht man's klar,
bin eine Münze, wunderbar.

Wer bin ich? ... Der Groschen

--- Translation ---

I once was worth ten Pfennig bright,
Fulfilled some wishes, brought delight.
When I fall, understanding's near,
I am a coin, held ever dear.

What am I? ... Der Groschen

✨ Other Interesting Facts

Etymology (Word Origin): The name „Groschen“ derives from the Latin denarius grossus, meaning „thick penny“. This referred to the fact that the first Groschen coins in the Middle Ages were thicker and more valuable than the thin pennies (denarii) common at the time.

International Spread: Similar coin denominations existed and still exist in other countries, e.g., the Grosz in Poland, the Grosso in Italy, or the Gros in France.