The Open Dictionary

penny

名詞

UK/ˈpen.i/
US/ˈpen.i/

定義 penny 名詞

  1. B1Countable(可数名词)

    the smallest denomination of currency in the UK, with 100 pennies equaling one pound. The term 'pence,' or informally 'p,' is used when referring to the monetary value. The plural form 'pennies' is used when referring to the coins themselves.

    （英国）便士（最小的货币单位，100 便士为 1 英镑；表示币值时用 pence 或非正式场合也可用 p，而表示硬币本身时用 pennies）

    • Could you please lend me 50 pence?

      你可以借我50便士吗？

    • I found a 10, 20, or 50 pence coin on the ground.

      我在地上发现了一个10、20或50便士的硬币。

    • I keep my pennies and other small change in a jar.

      我把我的便士和其他零钱放在一个罐子里。

  2. Countable(可数名词)

    In the US and Canada, a cent or a coin valued at one cent.

    （美国和加拿大的）分（币）；一分钱

  3. Countable(可数名词)

    In the UK before 1971, a large coin. Twelve pennies equaled one shilling.

    便士（英国在 1971 年以前使用的大硬币，12 便士等于 1 先令）

  4. Countable(可数名词)

    Used to refer to a minimal amount of money.

    一分钱；一丁点钱

    • Buy a television now and you won't have to pay a penny for three months.

      现在买电视，三个月内你一分钱都不用付。

    • This meal was expensive, but it was worth every penny.

      这顿饭很贵，但每一分钱都值得。

    • This is a major investment, every penny has to be carefully planned.

      这是一笔重大投资，每一分钱都必须仔细规划。

後綴

UK/-pen.i/
US/-pen.i/

定義 penny 後綴

  1. A suffix, used formerly with numerals to denote the cost of something in pence.

    （旧用法）值…便士的

    • a fourpenny ice cream

      一个四便士的冰淇淋

成語

  • (a) penny for your thoughts

    This phrase is used to ask someone what they are thinking, often because they have been quiet or pensive.

    想什么呢？（问屏沉默之人）

    • You've been quiet all day. A penny for your thoughts?

    你一整天都很安静。能告诉我你在想什么吗？

  • not have a penny to your name

    To be completely without money; to be extremely poor.

    身无分文

    • After losing his job, he didn't have a penny to his name.

    失业后，他身无分文。

  • the penny drops

    To suddenly understand something after a period of confusion or not understanding.

    突然明白、顿悟

    • I listened to the explanation twice before the penny finally dropped.

    我听了两遍解释后，才突然明白了。

  • be penny-wise and pound-foolish

    To be overly concerned with saving small amounts of money while being careless with larger sums.

    计较小钱，浪费大钱

    • He tried to save a few dollars on shipping, but ended up spending more money on a product of inferior quality; it was truly penny-wise and pound-foolish.

    他试图在运费上省下几美元，但最终却花了更多钱买到劣质产品；这真是小气反而吃大亏。

  • be two/ten a penny

    To be very common and easily found, therefore not considered special or valuable.

    很普遍

    • In those days, cheap plastic toys like that were two a penny.

    在那些日子里，像那样的便宜塑料玩具随处可见。

  • in for a penny (in for a pound)

    A phrase indicating that since one has started or become involved in something, they should complete it, even if it has become more difficult or complicated than initially anticipated.

    一做不停，要做就做到底。

    • I only intended to help a little with the project, but now that I've started, I'm in for a penny, in for a pound, and I'm going to finish it.

    我本来只打算稍微帮忙这个项目，但既然已经开始了，我就一不做二不休，要把它完成。

  • a penny saved is a penny earned

    This idiom emphasizes the importance of saving money, suggesting that money saved is as valuable as money earned.

    节省一分钱，等于赚了一分钱（常表示省钱的重要性）

    • She always compares prices carefully because she believes that 'a penny saved is a penny earned'.

    她总是仔细比价，因为她相信『省一文就是赚一文』。