Money in Spanish: Dinero, Plata, Lana and How to Talk About Money

“Money” in Spanish is dinero (masculine: el dinero), understood everywhere. In everyday speech, though, most countries have their own word: plata in much of Latin America, lana in Mexico, pasta in Spain and guita in Argentina. For cash, say efectivo; for coins, monedas; for notes, billetes.

Use dinero when in doubt; it is never wrong. The slang words are friendly, but you would not use them in a bank or an email to a landlord.

Cash, coins and change

• en efectivo: in cash. Pago en efectivo. (Also al contado = paying the full amount at once.)
• la moneda: a coin, and also a currency: la moneda de Perú es el sol.
• el billete: a banknote. Un billete de veinte euros.
• el cambio: change, in general and in exchange offices (casa de cambio).
• la vuelta (Spain) / el vuelto (much of Latin America): the change you get back. Quédese con la vuelta. (Keep the change.)
• suelto (Spain) / sencillo (many Latin American countries): small change, loose coins. ¿Tienes suelto?
• la tarjeta: card. ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?
• el cajero (automático): ATM. Voy a sacar dinero del cajero.

Talking about prices

• ¿Cuánto cuesta? / ¿Cuánto vale? How much is it?
• ¿Cuánto es? How much is it (in total)? Natural at the till.
• Cuesta diez euros. It costs ten euros. The number goes before the currency.
• Es caro / barato. It’s expensive / cheap.
• ¿Me hace un descuento? Can you give me a discount?
• Estoy sin dinero / Estoy sin blanca (Spain) / Estoy pelado (several Latin American countries): I’m broke.

Numbers agree in gender only in a few cases: un dólar but una libra; doscientos pesos but doscientas libras. All other numbers stay the same: diez euros, diez libras. For prices with ten, see ten in Spanish, including Diez euros es caro.

Types of Money and Currency in Spanish

Spanish-speaking countries use various currencies. Knowing these currencies and their names in Spanish is essential.

Common Currencies

• Euro (€): Euro
• United States Dollar ($): Dólar estadounidense
• Mexican Peso ($): Peso mexicano
• Colombian Peso ($): Peso colombiano
• Argentine Peso ($): Peso argentino
• Chilean Peso ($): Peso chileno
• Peruvian Sol (S/): Sol peruano

Other Money-Related Terms

• Cambio: Change (as in, the money you get back)
• Propina: Tip
• Impuesto: Tax
• Descuento: Discount
• Interés: Interest (on a loan or investment)

It’s also helpful to know the common denominations of bills and coins in the countries you plan to visit. For example, in Mexico, you’ll encounter coins of 50 centavos and 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 pesos, and bills of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 pesos.

Examples of Using Money-Related Vocabulary

Here are several examples of how to use money-related vocabulary in different contexts.

Basic Transactions

This table provides examples of basic transactions, such as buying items and paying for services.

Discussing Salaries and Income

This table shows examples of how to discuss salaries, income, and finances.

Negotiating Prices and Services

This table provides examples of how to negotiate prices and discuss the cost of services.

Financial Planning and Investments

This table provides examples related to financial planning, investments and savings.

Usage notes

• Decimal and thousands separators vary. Spain, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and many others write 1.000,50; Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic write 1,000.50, as in English.
• The $ sign is not always dollars. Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Argentina use $ for their pesos. Add the code (MXN, USD) when it matters.
• Choose the verb by meaning: costar or valer for prices, ganar for earning, gastar for spending, ahorrar for saving, cobrar for charging, prestar for lending and pedir prestado for borrowing.
• Dinero is singular. “Money” is uncountable in both languages: el dinero está en el banco, not “los dineros” in standard speech.

Common mistakes

Practice Exercises

Test your knowledge with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct Spanish words or phrases.

Exercise 1: Basic Vocabulary

1. How much does this cost? – ¿Cuánto _________ esto?
2. I want to pay with cash. – Quiero pagar en _________.
3. Do you have change for 20 dollars? – ¿Tiene _________ para veinte dólares?
4. The bill, please. – La _________, por favor.
5. I need to save _________. – Necesito ahorrar _________.

Answers:

1. cuesta
2. efectivo
3. cambio
4. cuenta
5. dinero

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences with the appropriate form of the verb and correct vocabulary.

1. Yo _________ (earn) dos mil euros al mes.
2. El libro _________ (cost) quince dólares.
3. Nosotros _________ (spend) mucho dinero en vacaciones.
4. Ellos _________ (have) que pagar los impuestos.
5. ¿Cuánto _________ (charge) usted por hora?

Answers:

1. gano
2. cuesta
3. gastamos
4. tienen
5. cobra

Exercise 3: Translation

Translate the following sentences into Spanish.

1. I don’t have enough money.
2. Can you lower the price?
3. I am looking for a better-paid job.
4. The interest rate is five percent.
5. I am paying off my debts.

Answers:

1. No tengo suficiente dinero.
2. ¿Puede bajar el precio?
3. Estoy buscando un trabajo mejor pagado.
4. La tasa de interés es del cinco por ciento.
5. Estoy pagando mis deudas.

Advanced Topics: Financial Terminology

• Inflación: Inflation
• Deflación: Deflation
• Recesión: Recession
• Bolsa de valores: Stock market
• Acciones: Stocks
• Bonos: Bonds
• Hipoteca: Mortgage
• Préstamo: Loan
• Presupuesto: Budget
• Inversión: Investment

Understanding these terms will allow you to discuss more sophisticated financial topics and engage in more complex conversations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between dinero and efectivo?

   Dinero refers to money in general, as a concept or resource. Efectivo specifically means cash.

2. How do I say “expensive” in Spanish?

   You can say “caro/a“. For example, “Este coche es muy caro” (This car is very expensive).

3. How do I ask for a discount?

   You can ask “¿Hay algún descuento disponible?” or “¿Me puede hacer un descuento?“

4. Is it common to tip in Spanish-speaking countries?

   It depends on the country. In Mexico and much of Latin America, around 10% in restaurants is usual (in some countries a service charge, propina or servicio, is already on the bill). In Spain, tips are smaller and optional: rounding up or leaving some coins is normal.

5. How do I say “I’m broke” in Spanish?

   You can say “Estoy sin blanca” (Spain) or “Estoy quebrado/a” (Latin America). These are informal ways to express that you have no money.

6. What is IVA?

   IVA is the value added tax: Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido in Spain and Impuesto al Valor Agregado in most of Latin America. Rates differ by country, and some countries use other names.

7. How do I say “ATM” in Spanish?

   You can say “cajero automático.”

8. How do I ask if a price includes tax?

   You can ask “¿Está incluido el IVA?” (Is the VAT included?) or “¿Incluye impuestos?” (Does it include taxes?).