Inklingo

How to Say "cash" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “cash” is “dinero” — use this general term for money when you mean physical currency like bills and coins, as opposed to credit or digital payment.

dinero🔊A1

Use this general term for money when you mean physical currency like bills and coins, as opposed to credit or digital payment.

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efectivo🔊A2

Use this word for physical money (bills and coins) when you need to specify that you are paying with actual currency.

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billetes🔊A1

Use this term specifically for paper money or banknotes, often when referring to denominations.

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plata🔊A1

Use this informal term to refer to readily available funds or money you have on hand.

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metálicoB1

Use this word when you want to emphasize payment with physical money, such as coins and bills.

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contado🔊B1

Use this when referring to a transaction that is paid for immediately with physical money, often in contrast to credit.

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cuartos🔊B1

Use this colloquial term for physical currency, especially when referring to coins or smaller denominations.

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pasta🔊B1

Use this very common slang term as a general word for money or 'dough'.

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mosca🔊B1

Use this slang term for paper money or coins when you need to pay with physical currency unexpectedly.

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suelto🔊B1

Use this term when referring to ready money, especially coins or small bills that are easy to use for small purchases.

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cobre🔊B1

This is a verb form, not a noun for cash itself; use it when asking to be charged or to convert a check into money.

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duros🔊B2

Use this colloquial term, primarily in Spain, as a general, often outdated, reference to money, similar to 'bucks'.

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verdes🔊C1

Use this slang term, often referring to US dollars, as a colloquial way to talk about money.

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perros🔊C1

Use this slang term as a very informal way to refer to money or cash.

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English → Spanish

dinero

dee-NEH-rohdiˈneɾo

nounA1general
Use this general term for money when you mean physical currency like bills and coins, as opposed to credit or digital payment.
A collection of euro coins and colorful banknotes spread out on a wooden table, representing the concept of money.

Examples

¿Tienes dinero para el café?

Do you have money for the coffee?

No tengo suficiente dinero para comprar ese coche.

I don't have enough money to buy that car.

Ella invierte su dinero en la bolsa de valores.

She invests her money in the stock market.

Always Masculine: 'el dinero'

Even though 'dinero' ends in '-o', it's good to remember it's a masculine word. Always say 'el dinero' (the money) or 'mucho dinero' (a lot of money).

You Can't 'Count' It

In Spanish, like in English, 'dinero' is a general idea. You count 'euros' or 'dollars,' but not 'moneys.' So, 'dinero' almost always stays singular.

Using 'dineros'

Mistake: “Tengo muchos dineros.”

Correction: Tengo mucho dinero. 'Dinero' refers to the concept of money, so you don't usually make it plural, even when talking about a large amount.

efectivo

eh-fek-TEE-vohe.fekˈti.βo

nounA2general
Use this word for physical money (bills and coins) when you need to specify that you are paying with actual currency.
A neat stack of green paper bills is placed next to a small pile of gold and silver coins.

Examples

¿Puedo pagar en efectivo o solo con tarjeta?

Can I pay in cash or only by card?

Siempre llevo algo de efectivo para emergencias.

I always carry some cash for emergencies.

El cajero automático me dio billetes pequeños en efectivo.

The ATM gave me small bills in cash.

Always Masculine

When used as a noun meaning 'cash,' 'efectivo' is always masculine singular ('el efectivo'), even though it refers to many bills and coins.

Using 'Efectivos' (Plural)

Mistake: “Saying 'Necesito unos efectivos' to mean 'I need some cash.'”

Correction: The noun 'efectivo' is usually uncountable, so use 'Necesito efectivo' or 'un poco de efectivo.' The plural 'efectivos' refers to personnel or troops (military/police), not money.

billetes

bee-yeh-tesbiˈʎetes

nounA1general
Use this term specifically for paper money or banknotes, often when referring to denominations.
A neat stack of generic, colorful paper currency banknotes.

Examples

Pagué la cuenta con billetes de cincuenta.

I paid the bill with fifty-unit banknotes.

No tengo monedas, solo billetes grandes.

I don't have coins, only large bills.

¿Cuántos billetes de diez hay aquí?

How many ten-unit bills are there here?

Billetes vs. Monedas

Remember that 'billetes' refers only to paper money. For metal currency, use 'monedas' (coins).

Using 'dinero' for paper money

Mistake: “Dame los dineros.”

Correction: Dame los billetes. ('Dinero' is the general term for money, 'billetes' specifies paper money.)

plata

PLAH-tahˈplata

nounA1informal
Use this informal term to refer to readily available funds or money you have on hand.
A small, neat pile of generic gold and silver coins, representing currency.

Examples

¿Tienes suficiente plata para el autobús?

Do you have enough money for the bus?

No tengo plata en este momento, ¿puedes pagar tú?

I don't have cash right now, can you pay?

Gané mucha plata vendiendo mi coche viejo.

I earned a lot of money selling my old car.

Use with 'Hay'

To ask if there is money available, use 'Hay plata' (Is there money?), treating it like an uncountable substance, similar to 'water'.

Confusing Regions

Mistake: “Using 'plata' for money in Spain in formal settings.”

Correction: In Spain, use 'dinero'. In almost all of Latin America, 'plata' is perfectly normal and common for 'money'.

metálico

nounB1general
Use this word when you want to emphasize payment with physical money, such as coins and bills.

Examples

¿Puedo pagar en metálico?

Can I pay in cash?

contado

kon-TAH-dohkonˈtaðo

adjectiveB1general
Use this when referring to a transaction that is paid for immediately with physical money, often in contrast to credit.
Two cartoon hands meeting over a counter, one hand is placing a small stack of colorful bills into the palm of the other hand, symbolizing a cash payment.

Examples

Si pagas al contado, te hacemos un descuento.

If you pay in cash, we'll give you a discount.

La venta fue hecha al contado.

The sale was made in cash (paid upfront).

Fixed Phrase

This meaning is almost always used as part of the prepositional phrase 'al contado' (to the counted), which functions like an adverb modifying the manner of payment.

Using 'contado' alone for cash

Mistake: “Quiero pagar contado.”

Correction: You must include the article and preposition: 'Quiero pagar al contado.'

cuartos

KWAHR-tohsˈkwaɾtos

nounB1informal
Use this colloquial term for physical currency, especially when referring to coins or smaller denominations.
A storybook illustration featuring a small, neat pile of paper banknotes topped with a stack of shiny gold coins.

Examples

No tengo cuartos para comprar esa bicicleta.

I don't have the money to buy that bicycle.

¿Tienes suficientes cuartos para el taxi?

Do you have enough cash for the taxi?

Always Plural

When used to mean 'money,' this word is almost always used in its plural form, 'cuartos,' even though it refers to a general concept like 'dinero' (which is singular).

pasta

PAHS-tahˈpas.ta

nounB1slang
Use this very common slang term as a general word for money or 'dough'.
A neat, tall stack of generic green paper currency bills.

Examples

Necesito más pasta para comprar ese coche.

I need more dough (money) to buy that car.

¿Tienes suficiente pasta para pagar la cena?

Do you have enough cash to pay for dinner?

Informal Context

Only use 'pasta' to mean money when speaking with friends or in relaxed, casual situations. Use 'dinero' in formal settings.

mosca

MOHS-kahˈmoska

nounB1slang
Use this slang term for paper money or coins when you need to pay with physical currency unexpectedly.
A neat pile of various colorful paper currency bills and shiny gold and silver coins stacked together.

Examples

El cajero automático no funciona, así que tuve que pagar con mosca.

The ATM isn't working, so I had to pay with cash.

No aceptan tarjeta, solo quieren mosca.

They don't accept cards, they only want cash.

Context is Key

In most contexts, 'mosca' means 'fly.' Only use this slang meaning ('cash') when you are sure the setting is very informal, or when speaking in Spain.

suelto

SWELL-toh'swelto

adjectiveB1informal
Use this term when referring to ready money, especially coins or small bills that are easy to use for small purchases.
A small pile of various gold and silver coins scattered casually on a flat surface, representing loose change.

Examples

¿Tienes algo de dinero suelto para el autobús?

Do you have any loose change for the bus?

Solo aceptan billetes y moneda suelta.

They only accept bills and loose coins (change).

Necesito cambio; no tengo suelto.

I need change; I don't have cash/loose money.

Used as a Noun

In many contexts, 'el suelto' is used by itself as a masculine noun meaning 'loose change' or 'cash,' especially in Latin America.

Using 'cambio' incorrectly

Mistake: “Using 'suelto' when you mean the change you receive back from a purchase.”

Correction: For the change you get back, use 'el cambio'. Use 'suelto' for the small coins/cash you carry.

cobre

KOH-brehˈkoβɾe

verbB1general
This is a verb form, not a noun for cash itself; use it when asking to be charged or to convert a check into money.
A hand passing a gold coin to another hand to pay for a service.

Examples

Cobre, por favor.

Charge me, please (used in a restaurant).

Cuando yo cobre el sueldo, te pagaré lo que te debo.

When I get paid my salary, I'll pay you what I owe you.

Espero que no nos cobre mucho el mecánico.

I hope the mechanic doesn't charge us much.

When to use 'cobre'

This specific form is used for wishes, polite requests, or when talking about things that might happen in the future (like 'When I get paid').

Paid vs. Getting Paid

Mistake: “Using 'pagar' when you mean 'cobrar'.”

Correction: In Spanish, the person who gives money 'paga', and the person who gets it 'cobra'.

duros

DOO-rohsˈdu.ɾos

nounB2colloquial (Spain)
Use this colloquial term, primarily in Spain, as a general, often outdated, reference to money, similar to 'bucks'.
A small stack of five large, shiny gold coins resting on a brown wooden surface.

Examples

Me costó cien duros comprar ese libro de segunda mano.

It cost me a hundred bucks (or hundred pesetas) to buy that second-hand book.

Si me prestas veinte duros, te los devuelvo mañana.

If you lend me twenty bucks, I'll give them back tomorrow.

Always Plural

When used to mean money or 'bucks,' this word is almost always used in the plural form, 'duros,' even if referring to a single coin historically.

verdes

VEHR-dessˈbeɾðes

nounC1slang
Use this slang term, often referring to US dollars, as a colloquial way to talk about money.
A thick, neat stack of generic, solid green rectangular banknotes tied together with a simple red ribbon.

Examples

Necesito cien verdes para comprar el boleto.

I need a hundred bucks (dollars) to buy the ticket.

Slang Usage

This meaning is specific to cultures where the currency (like the US dollar) is predominantly green. It is always used in the plural.

perros

PEH-rrohs (Make sure to roll the 'rr' sound!)ˈperos

nounC1slang
Use this slang term as a very informal way to refer to money or cash.
A simple illustration of a large, neat stack of generic gold coins and green paper bills.

Examples

Necesito unos perros para comprarme una bebida.

I need some cash to buy myself a drink.

¿Tienes perros sueltos?

Do you have any loose change?

Context is Key

If you are talking about money, this slang is only understood if the surrounding conversation is very informal or if you are in a specific region where this usage is common.

General vs. Specific Money Terms

The most common mistake is using slang or overly specific terms when a general word like 'dinero' or 'efectivo' would be more appropriate and widely understood. While 'pasta', 'mosca', 'perros', 'verdes', and 'duros' are colorful, they are informal or regional and can cause confusion if used outside of their intended context.

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