Show me the money! Let’s talk about money! To be more precise, German money and what the Germans might call it.

First some ‘normal’ words (plural ending in brackets):

• der Euro(s) – Euro
• der Cent(s) – Cent(s)
• das Bargeld – cash
• das Kleingeld – small/ loose change
• das Wechselgeld – change
• das Taschengeld – pocket money
• das Falschgeld – counterfeit money
• die Banknote(n) – banknote(s)
• der Geldschein(n) – banknote(s)
• die Münze(n) – coin(s)

Now for some slang words instead of ‘Geld’. Just like in English people might say mint, monkey, an arm and a leg, etc….., you may hear Germans use others words, too. I wouldn’t  suggest that you use those words, but if you hear them in a German film, a song  or you hear it said on the streets, you’ll know what people talk about ☺

Here are those slang words again:

• Asche
• Bares
• Blüten (counterfeit money)
• Cash
• Finanzen
• Flöhe
• Kies
• Knete
• Kohle
• Kröten
• Mäuse
• Moneten
• Moos
• Peseten
• Piepen
• Pinkepinke
• Scheine
• Schotter
• Taler
• Zaster

Some phrases/ idioms:

• Geld ist Macht – money talks
• Geld spielt keine Rolle – money is no object
• Geld stinkt nicht – money doesn’t smell
• Geld wie Heu haben – to have money to burn
• Geld regiert die Welt – a golden key can open any door
• Das Geld liegt auf der Straße – the street are paved with money
• Geld zum Fenster hinauswerfen – to pour money down the drain
• Zeit ist Geld – time is money

How about Abba’s song ‘Money Money Money in German? Here it is from Mamma Mia, the German version of the musical:

Or if you’d rather find out how money was invented (AND learn some German) check out the following easy videos:

And, of course, show me the money ☺

But now, that you have read all this, here’s one more German saying:

Über Geld spricht man nicht! 

I’ll leave it to you to translate that sentence ☺