centavos
“centavos” means “cents” in Spanish (currency unit).
cents
Also: change
📝 In Action
Esta goma de borrar cuesta veinticinco centavos.
A1This eraser costs twenty-five cents.
El café subió de precio, ahora cuesta unos centavos más.
A2The coffee went up in price, now it costs a few cents more.
No tengo billetes grandes, solo centavos en la cartera.
B1I don't have large bills, only change in my wallet.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: centavos
Question 1 of 1
If something costs 50 centavos, what does that mean?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin root *centum*, meaning 'one hundred.' This tells us that a 'centavo' is one part out of a hundred parts of the main currency unit.
First recorded: 19th century (in modern currency systems)
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'centavos' used in every Spanish-speaking country?
Yes, the concept of 'centavos' (cents) is universally understood across the Spanish-speaking world as the smallest unit of money, even if the main currency is called a peso, bolívar, or quetzal.