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How to Say "peanuts" in Spanish

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limosna

lee-MOHS-nahliˈmosna

nounB2informal
Use 'limosna' when you want to informally describe a ridiculously small amount of money, often implying it's insufficient or an insult given the effort.
A single tiny copper coin sitting alone on a large, empty wooden table.

Examples

Me ofrecieron solo diez euros por el trabajo, ¡una limosna!

They offered me only ten euros for the job, a pittance!

Después de trabajar tanto, este sueldo me parece una limosna.

After working so much, this salary seems like a pittance to me.

No quiero tus limosnas; quiero lo que me corresponde por mi trabajo.

I don't want your crumbs; I want what I'm owed for my work.

El aumento que nos dieron es una auténtica limosna.

The raise they gave us is absolute peanuts.

Using 'ser' with 'limosna'

When using the figurative meaning to complain, we almost always use the verb 'ser' (to be) followed by 'una limosna' to describe a situation or an amount.

Limosna vs Propina

Mistake: “Le dejé una limosna al camarero.”

Correction: Le dejé una propina al camarero. A 'limosna' is for charity; a 'propina' is a tip for service. Using 'limosna' for a waiter is very insulting!

miseria

mee-SEH-ryahmiˈse.rja

nounC1slang
Choose 'miseria' to talk about a trifling or pitifully small sum of money, often used in slang to emphasize how little was paid for something.
A massive, open, empty hand holding one single, tiny, shiny gold coin in the center of the palm, emphasizing insufficiency.

Examples

Ganaba una miseria en su antiguo empleo.

He earned peanuts in his old job.

Le pagaron una miseria por el trabajo de todo el mes.

They paid him a pittance for a whole month's work.

Solo había una miseria de pan en la nevera.

There was only a tiny bit of bread (a trifle) in the fridge.

Choosing between 'limosna' and 'miseria'

Learners often confuse 'limosna' and 'miseria'. While both mean a small amount of money, 'limosna' is more commonly used to express that the amount is insufficient or insulting, whereas 'miseria' is a more general slang term for a pitifully small sum.

Related Translations

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