der  Schilling

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃɪlɪŋ/

💰 What exactly is a Schilling?

Der Schilling (noun, masculine) primarily refers to the former currency unit of Austria, which was valid from 1925 to 1938 and from 1945 until the introduction of the Euro on January 1, 2002. It was divided into 100 Groschen.

Historically, the term 'Schilling' also denoted various coins or currency units in other Germanic-speaking regions since the Middle Ages (e.g., in Anglo-Saxon areas or Scandinavia).

⚠️ In modern German, der Schilling almost exclusively refers to the Austrian currency before the Euro.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'der Schilling'

The word Schilling is a masculine noun and is declined as follows:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Früher kostete ein Brot in Österreich nur wenige Schillinge.
   (In the past, a loaf of bread in Austria cost only a few Schillings.)
2. Der Umrechnungskurs vom Schilling zum Euro war fixiert.
   (The exchange rate from the Schilling to the Euro was fixed.)
3. Er fand noch einen alten Schilling in seiner Geldbörse.
   (He found an old Schilling coin in his wallet.)
4. Die Geschichte des Schillings ist eng mit der österreichischen Identität verbunden.
   (The history of the Schilling is closely linked to Austrian identity.)

💡 How is 'Schilling' used?

Der Schilling is mainly used today in historical, economic, or nostalgic contexts when talking about Austria before the introduction of the Euro.

• Historical Prices: "Das Auto kostete damals 150.000 Schilling." (The car cost 150,000 Schillings back then.)
• Collector's Value: "Alte Schilling-Münzen können heute einen Sammlerwert haben." (Old Schilling coins can have collector's value today.)
• Memories: "Ich erinnere mich noch gut an die Zeit mit dem Schilling." (I still remember the time of the Schilling well.)

Sometimes, the term is still used colloquially to make monetary amounts more understandable to older people, but this is becoming rarer.

Confusion is rare, as the context (Austria, currency, history) is usually clear.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of money and finance – areas often historically dominated by men (der Mann). Thus, the currency is der Schilling.

Meaning Mnemonic: Schilling sounds a bit like 'shilling' (the old British coin), but strongly associate it with Austria. Picture someone *chilling* in the Austrian Alps counting their *Schilling* – linking the sound to Austria and money.

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Co.

Words with the same or similar meaning (Synonyms)

• Österreichische Währung (vor Euro): (Austrian currency (before Euro)) - This is the most precise description.
• ÖS / ATS: The official abbreviations.
• (Colloquial, dated): Alu (for aluminum coins), Marie, Knete (general slang for money)

Words with opposite meaning (Antonyms)

• Euro (€): The current currency of Austria and many other EU countries.
• Groschen: The subunit of the Schilling (1 Schilling = 100 Groschen).

Similar but different words

• Schilling (Surname): A relatively common German last name.
• Shilling (English): A historical British coin unit.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt ein Tourist in Wien: "Entschuldigen Sie, kann ich hier noch mit Schilling bezahlen?" Antwortet der Kellner: "Natürlich! Aber das Wechselgeld gibt's dann in Muscheln."

English: A tourist in Vienna asks: "Excuse me, can I still pay with Schillings here?" The waiter replies: "Of course! But you'll get your change in seashells."

📜 A Nostalgic Poem

German:
Der Schilling, einst im Umlauf stolz,
in Österreich aus starkem Holz...
Nein, Metall, das glänzte fein,
\war er des Landes Geldschein.

Vom Groschen klein bis zum Tausender,
\man zählte ihn, mal mehr, mal wen'ger.
\Der Euro kam, der Schilling ging,
doch die Erinnerung, sie klingt.

English Translation:
The Schilling, once circulating proudly,
in Austria made of sturdy wood...
No, metal, that shone finely,
it was the country's currency.

From the small Groschen to the thousand note,
one counted it, sometimes more, sometimes less.
The Euro came, the Schilling went,
but the memory, it still resonates.

🧩 Who or What am I?

German:
Ich war das Geld in Alpenland,
bevor der Euro trat an den Rand.
In hundert Groschen war ich geteilt,
mein Name hat Geschichte, die verweilt.

Was bin ich?

English:
I was the money in the Alpine land,
before the Euro took the upper hand.
Into one hundred Groschen I was split,
my name holds history that won't quit.

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

✨ Other Information

Trivia

• The name „Schilling“ derives from the Old High German word „scilling“, whose exact meaning is debated (possibly „shield-thing“ or related to a sound).
• The abbreviation for the Austrian Schilling was ÖS or ATS (Austrian Schilling).
• Famous personalities like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or Sigmund Freud were depicted on Schilling banknotes.
• Although the Schilling has not been an official currency since 2002, old Schilling banknotes and coins can still be exchanged for Euros free of charge and indefinitely at the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austrian National Bank).