Everything You Need To Know About Money In German: Das Geld And Other Common Slangs

Just as it does everywhere else in the world, money also has a huge role in Germany and in German-speaking regions.

But money in German is… a bit of a taboo, to be honest. Germans approach and discuss the financial matters of life in a different way than most others do.

For example, this video brought to you by Easy German is a great demonstration:

There’s a lot to discover about “Geld” (money in German), so let’s not waste everyone’s time, while we could learn about it – and thus, make ourselves better in hope for making more money.

1. Vocabulary about money in German

When it comes to talking about money in German, there are several essential words and phrases you should know.

The German language is rich with vocabulary when you want to discuss financial matters. Let’s explore these phrases for money in German from everyday transactions to complex economic concepts.

2. Different currencies in German-speaking countries

If you didn’t know already, Germany and Austria both use the Euro as their official currency, just like other countries in the European Union.

A bit of history about this: Germany adopted the Euro in 1999, and the banknotes and the coins were introduced on the 1st of January, 2002. The Euro replaced the Deutsche Mark, the previous currency which has been used since 1948.

Austria did the same in the same time frame: the Euro in Austria was adopted in 1999, and was introduced in 2002. The previous national currency was Schilling in Austria.

Switzerland is a different story.

The Swiss Franc is still a valuable and important part of Swiss culture and history, and it’s still an independent currency. The modern Swiss Franc has been in use since 1850, and to this day, it’s still considered as a safe-haven currency.

If you’re traveling to one of these countries, it’s a good idea to check the current exchange rates, which you can do on the site of the ECB (European Central Bank). Although if you pay by card, automatic exchange rates should be applied.

It’s also interesting to note that before the introduction of the Euro, both Germany and Austria had their own currencies, and we think that the Euro marks a new era of economic cooperation within and also outside the European Union.

3. How to talk about money in German: salary and professions

So, just like we mentioned in the intro, discussing personal finances, such as salaries is a different topic in Germany and other German-speaking countries.

It’s actually considered a sensitive topic. Another video from the Easy German YouTube channel presents this wonderfully:

Germans are more reserved when it’s time to share the details of your contracts and your earnings. (If we could give you one tip: it’s best to avoid direct questions when you’re first meeting people.)

Unless, of course, you have a close relationship with them or it’s useful for professional reasons.

In every case, it’s good to be prepared, and know some expressions. 

These are really just the most important ones, so why don’t we show how they behave in real German conversations?

Rudi: “Hey Hans, hast du schon von der neuen Stelle in unserer Firma gehört?” (Hey Hans, have you heard about the new position in our company?)
Hans: “Ja, ich habe davon gehört. Weißt du, wie hoch das Gehalt dafür ist?” (Yes, I’ve heard about it. Do you know what the salary for it is?)
Rudi: “Ich bin mir nicht sicher, aber ich glaube, es ist ein gutes Einkommen. Vielleicht solltest du dich bewerben?” (I’m not sure, but I think it’s a good income. Maybe you should apply?)
Hans: “Das ist eine gute Idee. Ich könnte wirklich eine Gehaltserhöhung gebrauchen.” (That’s a good idea. I could really use a pay raise.)

4. Do people use cash money in German regions?

The thing about Germany is that the country is a bit conservative in terms of digitalization. 

Despite the increasing popularity of digital payment methods worldwide, cash remains king in many parts of Germany!

Why is that?

Well, it’s complex, but many locals say that they like it because it gives you a sense of privacy.

Many Germans prefer using cash for their daily transactions, and it’s not uncommon to find businesses that only accept cash payments.

So, if you’re planning to visit Germany, it’s best to be prepared for this cash-centric approach.

Okay, yes, larger cities and tourist areas are more prepared, and they are more likely to accept card payments, but smaller towns and local businesses might not have card payment options.

It’s always a good idea to carry some cash with you 🙂 (The best things are sometimes found in small shops or restaurants off the beaten path.)

5. Money slang in everyday conversations

Once you get the feeling of talking about money in German, it’s time to spice it up!

Like many languages, German has its share of slang terms for money. These expressions can be useful to understand informal discussions

Here are some common slang terms for money in German:

Be careful with these terms, but one thing’s for sure: these basic German words sound more natural and help you fit in nicely with casual conversations about money.

6. Learn more about das Geld with Conversation Based Chunking

Das Geld… Money in German… A thing essential everywhere around the world.

And although you can learn these words one-by-one, just like you saw it, we like to offer real German sentences and conversations, so you can use the Conversation Based Chunking method.

This approach is all about incorporating lexical chunks into your language. We can tell you all about this method if you sign up now: in exchange, we’ll send you a chunking list, exercises, and we’ll even share other useful resources to learn German.