groschen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Historical, Technical (numismatics), Archaic/Regional (German-speaking contexts).
Quick answer
What does “groschen” mean?
A historical coin, originally of Germany and Austria-Hungary, of low value (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical coin, originally of Germany and Austria-Hungary, of low value (e.g., a penny or a tenth of a mark).
Any very small amount of money; figuratively, something of little value or significance. Also persists as a modern coin in Austria (100 Groschen = 1 Euro).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties treat it as a foreign/historical term.
Connotations
Evokes Central European history. More likely to be recognized by those with knowledge of European history or numismatics.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, slightly higher in British English due to historical European connections.
Grammar
How to Use “groschen” in a Sentence
[Subject] + be + not worth a groschen.[Collector] + collects + Austrian groschen.[Numismatist] + examined the silver groschen + from [date/place].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Used in historical, economic, or numismatic texts discussing Central European currency.
Everyday
Almost never used, except in figurative set phrases by knowledgeable speakers.
Technical
Used precisely in numismatics (coin collecting).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “groschen”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “groschen”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “groschen”
- Pronouncing it like 'grotch-en'.
- Using it to refer to modern small change outside Austrian/German contexts.
- Spelling: 'grochen', 'groshen'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not in everyday modern English. It is a historical/numismatic term or used in fixed figurative phrases.
In British English, it's /ˈɡrɒʃən/ (GROSH-uhn). In American English, it's often /ˈɡroʊʃən/ (GROH-shuhn).
The plural is typically 'groschen' (invariant) or occasionally 'groschens' in English.
Figuratively, yes (like 'penny'), but literally it refers specifically to historical German/Austrian coins or the modern Austrian subdivision of the Euro.
A historical coin, originally of Germany and Austria-Hungary, of low value (e.
Groschen is usually historical, technical (numismatics), archaic/regional (german-speaking contexts). in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a groschen.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GROSSly out of CHange' – it's a coin from history, not your modern change.
Conceptual Metaphor
LACK OF VALUE IS LACK OF CURRENCY (e.g., 'His opinion isn't worth a groschen').
Practice
Quiz
In which modern country is 'Groschen' still the official name for a subdivision of the main currency?