Groschen

See also: groschen

German

Etymology

From Middle High German grosse, from Medieval Latin (denarius) grossus (“thick (penny)”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈɡrɔʃən/, [ˈɡʁɔʃən], [-ʃn̩]
  • Audio(file)

Noun

Groschen m (strong, genitive Groschens, plural Groschen)

  1. groschen; any of a number of (chiefly obsolete) coins with a related name
    1. grosz (unit of currency in Poland, 1⁄100 of a zloty)
    2. (historical, Austria) former unit of currency, worth 1⁄100 of a schilling
  2. (informal, Germany) an unofficial name for a coin worth 1⁄10 of a main currency
    1. (historical) a 10-pfennig coin
      Damals kostete ein kleines Bier drei Groschen.
      At that time a small beer was thirty pfennig.
    2. (chiefly indefinite) a 10-cent coin
      Ich habe nur noch einige Groschen im Portmonee.
      I only have a couple of dimes left in my purse.
    3. (chiefly indefinite) any comparable coin in another currency
      In London hat mich ein Bettler angesprochen, da hab ich ihm ein paar Groschen gegeben.
      A beggar approached me in London, so I gave him a few coins.

Usage notes
  • Though sometimes used, the word has not really caught on in the specific sense of “10 cents”. It is still common for an indefinite amount less than a euro, however.

Declension
Declension of Groschen [masculine, strong]
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Groschen die Groschen
genitive eines des Groschens der Groschen
dative einem dem Groschen den Groschen
accusative einen den Groschen die Groschen

Derived terms

Further reading
  • “Groschen” in Duden online
  • “Groschen” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
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