monedas
/moh-NEH-dahs/
coins
Monedas refers to physical, metal coins used for transactions.
📝 In Action
Necesito sacar algunas monedas de mi cartera para el autobús.
A1I need to take some coins out of my wallet for the bus.
Hay muchas monedas pequeñas debajo del sofá.
A2There are a lot of small coins under the sofa.
Este parquímetro solo acepta monedas de un euro.
B1This parking meter only accepts one-euro coins.
💡 Grammar Points
It's Always Plural for 'Coins'
To talk about multiple physical pieces of metal money, you must use the plural form 'monedas,' even if English sometimes uses the singular 'change.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Moneda' and 'Dinero'
Mistake: "Using 'dinero' when specifically referring to physical coins (e.g., 'Solo tengo dinero')."
Correction: Use 'monedas' or 'cambio' (change) when referring to the physical pieces. 'Dinero' is the general term for money.
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking for Change
If you are paying with a large bill and need coins back, you can say: '¿Me puede dar cambio/monedas, por favor?'
When referring to monedas as 'currency,' it means the standardized system of money used within a country.
📝 In Action
Las monedas latinoamericanas sufrieron una fuerte devaluación el año pasado.
B2Latin American currencies suffered a strong devaluation last year.
Hay muchas monedas diferentes en circulación alrededor del mundo.
B1There are many different currencies in circulation around the world.
💡 Grammar Points
Currency as a System
When talking about the official money system of a country (like the Euro or the Yen), 'monedas' (plural) is often used, especially when comparing several of them.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
In financial news or academic papers, 'monedas' is the standard term for 'currencies,' while 'dinero' is too informal.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: monedas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'monedas' in the sense of 'national currency'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'monedas' the same as 'dinero'?
Not exactly. 'Dinero' is the general term for money (cash, bank funds, etc.). 'Monedas' specifically refers to the physical metal pieces (coins) or the official currency system itself. All 'monedas' are 'dinero,' but not all 'dinero' are 'monedas' (for example, a credit card balance is 'dinero' but not 'monedas').
Why is 'monedas' a feminine word?
Like many Spanish nouns, its gender comes from its Latin root, *monēta*, which was feminine. Therefore, we use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'las monedas viejas' — the old coins).