What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pfennig
Example
I found a pfennig on the street. [pfennig: noun]
Example
The price of the item is only a few pfennigs. [pfennig: plural noun]
penny
Example
I need to get some pennies for the parking meter. [pennies: plural noun]
Example
The price of the candy is only a penny. [penny: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Penny is more commonly used than pfennig in everyday language. Penny is still in use in several countries, while pfennig has been replaced by the Euro in Germany and other European countries.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pfennig and penny?
Both pfennig and penny are informal words that are used in casual conversations and everyday language. However, pfennig may sound more formal due to its association with a former currency unit and its German origin.
