German Phrase
Wir nehmen die gängigen Fremdwährungen.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘We accept the common foreign currencies.’ It is typically used by shops, hotels, or banks to tell customers which currencies they will handle.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to inform a client, guest, or partner about the range of foreign money you will take. It works well in written signs, verbal explanations, or email confirmations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WirnehmendiegängigenFremdwährungen
Subject pronoun
"Wir" is the 1st person plural pronoun, used as the subject of the sentence.
Verb "nehmen"
"nehmen" means ‘to take’ or ‘to accept’; in this context it is used like ‘accept’ and is conjugated in the present tense (1st pl).
Accusative case
The direct object of "nehmen" is in the accusative; therefore the article "die" is the accusative plural form.
Adjective declension (weak)
After a definite article the adjective takes the weak ending –en in the plural accusative: "gängigen".
Plural noun "Fremdwährungen"
"Fremdwährung" (foreign currency) is a feminine noun; its plural is formed with –en, giving "Fremdwährungen".
🗨In Conversation
Welche Währungen akzeptieren Sie?
Which currencies do you accept?
Wir nehmen die gängigen Fremdwährungen.
We accept the common foreign currencies.
✕Common Mistakes
Wir nehmen die gänige Fremdwährungen.
The adjective must agree with the plural noun and the definite article, so the correct ending is –en, not –e.
Wir nehmen die gängige Fremdwährung.
Using the singular "Fremdwährung" changes the meaning; the sentence is about multiple currencies, so the plural "Fremdwährungen" is required.
Wir nehmen die gängigen Fremdwährungen an.
If you add "an" you must also change the word order: "Wir nehmen gängige Fremdwährungen an." Using both "nehmen" and "an" together without adjusting the structure is incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Wir akzeptieren die gängigen Fremdwährungen.
We accept the common foreign currencies.
Wir nehmen gängige Fremdwährungen an.
We take (accept) common foreign currencies.
Wir akzeptieren gängige Fremdwährungen.
We accept common foreign currencies.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries it is common to list accepted currencies on a sign or in a brochure. The word "Fremdwährung" is formal; in everyday speech you might also hear "ausländische Währung". Remember that "gängig" conveys ‘widely used’ – it does not guarantee that every possible currency is accepted, only the ones most frequently encountered.