cambio
/KAHM-byoh/
change
Cambio (Noun): Refers to 'small change' (coins) or 'exchange' (currency).
cambio(Noun)
change
?A transformation or modification
,small change
?Coins, money returned after a purchase
,exchange
?Especially for currency
shift
?A change in position or direction, like a gear shift
,rate of exchange
?Financial term
📝 In Action
Necesito un cambio en mi vida.
A2I need a change in my life.
Perdón, ¿tiene cambio de un billete de 20 euros?
A1Excuse me, do you have change for a 20 euro bill?
El tipo de cambio hoy es favorable para el dólar.
B1The exchange rate today is favorable for the dollar.
Hice el cambio de aceite del coche ayer.
B1I did the car's oil change yesterday.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'a cambio de'
This little phrase is super useful. It means 'in exchange for'. You can say, 'Te ayudo con tu tarea a cambio de un café.' (I'll help you with your homework in exchange for a coffee.)
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting its Gender
Mistake: "La cambio es bueno."
Correction: El cambio es bueno. Remember that 'cambio' is a masculine word, so it uses 'el' and 'un'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking for Change
When shopping, you can ask '¿Tiene cambio?' (Do you have change?) or be more specific: '¿Tiene cambio de cincuenta?' (Do you have change for a fifty?).
Cambio (Verb, 'Yo' form): Means 'I change' or 'I exchange.' (e.g., 'Yo cambio mi ropa').
cambio(Verb)
I change
?The action of changing something
I exchange
?The action of exchanging one thing for another
📝 In Action
Yo cambio de opinión muy a menudo.
A2I change my mind very often.
Si no te gusta la camisa, la cambio por otra.
A2If you don't like the shirt, I'll exchange it for another one.
Siempre cambio mis zapatos al llegar a casa.
A1I always change my shoes when I get home.
💡 Grammar Points
This is the 'I' form
'Cambio' is how you say 'I change.' It comes from the verb 'cambiar.' Notice how Spanish often drops the 'yo' because the '-o' ending already tells you who is doing the action.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting 'de'
Mistake: "Voy a cambiar mi trabajo."
Correction: Voy a cambiar de trabajo. When you're changing *from one type of thing to another* (like jobs, clothes, or opinions), use the pattern 'cambiar de + [noun]'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing a Change of Mind
A super common and natural phrase is 'cambio de opinión' for 'I change my mind.' It's a great one to memorize!
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cambio
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'cambio' to mean 'coins' or 'small change'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'cambio' and 'cambiar'?
Great question! 'Cambiar' is the verb in its basic form, meaning 'to change.' 'Cambio' can be two things: 1) The noun 'a change' or 'small change' (like coins). 2) The verb form for 'I change' (e.g., 'Yo cambio'). The context will always tell you which one it is.
How do I say 'in exchange for something'?
You use the phrase 'a cambio de'. For example, 'Te doy mi libro a cambio de tu revista' means 'I'll give you my book in exchange for your magazine.'