plata
“plata” means “silver” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
silver
Also: sterling
📝 In Action
Mi abuela tiene una cubertería de plata muy antigua.
B1My grandmother has a very old set of silver cutlery.
El anillo tiene un baño de oro sobre plata.
A2The ring has a gold plating over silver.
money, cash
Also: dough
📝 In Action
¿Tienes suficiente plata para el autobús?
A1Do you have enough money for the bus?
No tengo plata en este momento, ¿puedes pagar tú?
A2I don't have cash right now, can you pay?
Gané mucha plata vendiendo mi coche viejo.
B1I earned a lot of money selling my old car.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: plata
Question 1 of 2
In most of Latin America, if someone says 'Necesito más plata,' what do they mean?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Plata' comes from the Late Latin word '*plattus*', meaning 'flat' or 'sheet metal.' This word eventually replaced the classical Latin word for silver, *argentum*, because silver was often traded in flat sheets or bars. The connection between the metal and currency is very old.
First recorded: Around the 10th century (in early Romance languages)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'plata' rude or too informal to use for money?
Not at all in Latin America! It is the standard, everyday word for money, similar to 'cash' or 'funds' in English. It's only considered informal in Spain, where 'dinero' is the neutral choice.
Why does the word for the metal 'silver' also mean 'money'?
This is a historical link! For centuries, silver was the primary metal used to mint coins, making the word for the material synonymous with the currency itself. English has a similar, though less common, connection with the word 'sterling' (sterling silver).