pavos
“pavos” means “turkeys” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
turkeys
Also: peacocks
📝 In Action
Compramos dos pavos para la cena de Acción de Gracias.
A2We bought two turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner.
Los pavos se asustaron con el ruido y salieron corriendo.
B1The turkeys got scared by the noise and ran away.
money
Also: euros, bucks
📝 In Action
¿Cuánto cuesta eso? Creo que son unos 50 pavos.
B2How much does that cost? I think it's about 50 bucks/euros.
Me debes cien pavos de la cena de anoche.
C1You owe me a hundred bucks from last night's dinner.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: pavos
Question 1 of 2
If someone in Madrid says, 'Me costó 20 pavos,' what are they most likely talking about?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'pavo' (the singular form) comes from the Latin word *pāvus*, meaning 'peacock.' When the American turkey was introduced to Europe, it was confused with the existing peacock, and the name stuck. The slang meaning for money (euros) developed much later in Spain, likely due to phonetic similarity to other slang terms for money.
First recorded: The root word dates back to classical Latin.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'pavos' used for money in all Spanish-speaking countries?
No. The slang meaning of 'pavos' for money or euros is highly specific to Spain. If you use it in Mexico, Colombia, or Argentina, people will only understand the literal meaning: turkeys.
How do I know if 'pavos' means birds or money?
Look at the context and location. If the sentence involves buying, spending, or owing, and you are in Spain, it means money. If the sentence involves a farm, food, or animals, it means turkeys.