What does denar mean?
A denar is the monetary unit of North Macedonia, where 100 denar make one lek. The term also had an official role in the former Yugoslav currency, in which 100 denar equaled one para, and historically it denoted a gold coin circulating in medieval Europe. In everyday use in North Macedonia, the word functions simply as a currency name, appearing in prices, exchange-rate reports, banknotes, and coins. Because several other Balkan and Middle Eastern currencies are called dinar, denar should not be confused with dinar. Its deeper history lies in the Roman monetary system: the word ultimately derives from the Latin denarius, a silver coin whose original name referred to a value of ten bronze asses. Although the modern denar is not the same physical object as the Roman coin, the name preserves a long connection with European coinage and monetary history.
nounA monetary unit of North Macedonia, equal to 100 lek; the name was also used for the former currency unit of Yugoslavia, equal to 100 para. Historically, denar also referred to a gold coin used in medieval Europe.
- The current monetary unit of North Macedonia, subdivided into 100 lek.
- The former monetary unit of Yugoslavia, subdivided into 100 para.
- A historical gold coin of medieval Europe.
"The ferry fare is paid in North Macedonian denar."
"Prices at the market are displayed in Macedonian denar."
"The museum owns a medieval denar issued in the Balkans."
The standard plural is denars, used for multiple units of the currency or multiple coins.
"The machine accepts coins and notes in denominations of several denars."
Its name reaches back to the Roman denarius, a silver coin originally valued at ten bronze asses.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does denar come from?
The English word comes through South Slavic denar from Latin denarius. Latin denarius was named from decem, meaning “ten,” because it was originally valued at ten bronze asses. The same root also underlies related forms such as decimus, the Latin word for “tenth,” while denarius remained the model for the South Slavic monetary name.
How denar is actually used
In modern financial contexts, denar usually refers specifically to North Macedonia's currency. References to Yugoslavia's former denar are historical, while the medieval coin sense is specialized.
Easily confused with denar
A denar is the currency unit of North Macedonia, whereas a dinar is the currency unit of several other countries, including Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Algeria, and Libya.