German · Work & Business

Geld

Money

Beginnernoun

Definition

A medium of exchange.

Example

Ich habe nicht genug Geld.

I don't have enough money.

Etymology

'Geld' originates from the Old High German 'gelt', which denotes 'money' or 'wealth'. Its roots can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic '*galdiz', meaning 'payment', highlighting its longstanding importance in commerce throughout Germanic languages.

How & Where It’s Used

'Geld' is widely used in both formal and informal contexts in everyday life, commerce, and financial discussions, with a consistent meaning across regions in Germany and other German-speaking countries. It is often encountered in both spoken and written forms.

Literary Heritage

The term is referenced in numerous German proverbs and literature discussing wealth, such as Goethe’s works highlighting moral perspectives on money.

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