centavo

sen-TAH-voh

nounmA1

cent?monetary unit (1/100th of a dollar, peso, etc.)

Also:penny?informal US currency

📝 In Action

Solo me queda un centavo en el bolsillo.

I only have one cent left in my pocket.

El precio del chicle es de cincuenta centavos.

The price of the gum is fifty cents.

No vale ni un centavo, es basura.

It's not worth even a cent, it's garbage.

Word Connections

Synonyms

moneda (coin)
cobre (copper (informal term for a low-value coin))

Common Collocations

contar centavos – to count cents (to be frugal)
ni un centavo – not a single cent

Idioms & Expressions

No tener un centavo – To be completely broke or penniless

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Rule

Since 'centavo' is masculine, you must use the masculine article 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it. For multiple cents, use 'los centavos'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Ciento' for 'Cent'

Mistake: "Using 'ciento' when referring to the small coin (e.g., 'diez ciento')."

Correction: Use 'centavo' for the unit of currency: 'diez centavos' (ten cents). 'Ciento' means 'one hundred'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Expressing Amounts

When saying a specific amount of money, the number always comes before the word: '50 centavos' (fifty cents).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: centavo

Question 1 of 2

If something costs 75 centavos, how much of the main unit of currency (like a dollar) is that?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

ciento(one hundred) - number

centésimo(hundredth) - adjective

céntimo(cent (used in Spain and other regions)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'centavo' and 'céntimo'?

Both words mean 'cent' or 'hundredth part.' 'Centavo' is used in most Latin American countries (e.g., Mexico, Argentina). 'Céntimo' is the term used for the cent unit of the Euro in Spain.

Can 'centavo' be used figuratively?

Yes! You often hear phrases like 'No vale ni un centavo' (It's not worth a single cent), meaning something is worthless, or 'estar sin un centavo' (to be without a cent), meaning you are broke.