pfennig

[ fen-ig; German pfen-ikh ]

noun

, plural pfen·nigs, pfen·ni·ge [pfen, -i-g, uh].

1. a copper-coated iron coin and monetary unit of Germany until the euro was adopted, one 100th of a Deutsche mark.
2. (formerly) a minor coin and monetary unit of East Germany, one 100th of an ostmark.

pfennig

/ ˈfɛnɪɡ; ˈpfɛnɪç /

noun

1. a former German monetary unit worth one hundredth of a Deutschmark
2. (formerly) a monetary unit worth one hundredth of an East German ostmark

Word History and Origins

Origin of pfennig¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from German: penny

Word History and Origins

Origin of pfennig¹

German: penny

Example Sentences

For some parents, it was a financial hardship to purchase the required uniform and pay ten pfennig, or pennies, as monthly dues.

From Literature

Adults had paid 4 pfennigs per kilometre, children 2 pfennigs, while those under the age of 4 travelled free.

From The Guardian

Many of them are secondhand, all the classics for example, one volume in blue cloth boards cost one mark twenty pfennig.

From Literature

But a pound to a pfennig someone would suggest it was worth a punt, and the mood across Europe might be in favour of making hitherto undreamt of concessions.

From BBC

"Leave your last pfennig in Gaiberg!" read the slogan of this hilltop village's annual May campaign to lure the former German pennies, coins and notes to its handful of restaurants and shops.

From Wall Street Journal