luca
“luca” means “one thousand” in Spanish (informal reference to currency units).
one thousand
Also: a grand
📝 In Action
Préstame una luca para el café, por favor.
B1Lend me a thousand (pesos) for the coffee, please.
Esa camiseta me costó diez lucas en la feria.
B1That t-shirt cost me ten thousand in the street market.
Ando corto de plata, no tengo ni una luca.
B2I'm short on cash, I don't even have a single thousand.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: luca
Question 1 of 3
If someone in Chile says a sandwich costs 'tres lucas', how much is it?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The most popular theory is that it comes from the word 'peluquín' (wig). In the 18th century, Spanish coins featured kings wearing large wigs, and the slang evolved from 'peluca' to 'luca'.
First recorded: 19th century (approx.)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'luca' mean a dollar?
No. It refers to 1,000 units of whatever the local currency is (Chilean pesos, Argentine pesos, etc.). Its value in dollars depends on the exchange rate.
Is 'luca' a rude word?
Not at all! It is informal and shouldn't be used in business meetings or legal documents, but it is perfectly friendly for street markets, shops, and talking with friends.
Can I use 'luca' for other numbers like 1,000,000?
No, 'luca' is specifically for 1,000. For a million, many of the same countries use the slang word 'palo' (stick).