Inklingo

How to Say "small change" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cambio

/KAHM-byoh//ˈkambjo/

NounA1General
Use 'cambio' when referring to money returned after a purchase, or more generally, the act of exchanging money, rather than specifically coins.
A large, colorful pile of various coins (gold, silver, and copper) representing small change or currency exchange.

Examples

No tengo cambio para un billete de 50 euros.

I don't have small change for a 50 euro bill.

Necesito un cambio en mi vida.

I need a change in my life.

Perdón, ¿tiene cambio de un billete de 20 euros?

Excuse me, do you have change for a 20 euro bill?

El tipo de cambio hoy es favorable para el dólar.

The exchange rate today is favorable for the dollar.

Using 'a cambio de'

This little phrase is super useful. It means 'in exchange for'. You can say, 'Te ayudo con tu tarea a cambio de un café.' (I'll help you with your homework in exchange for a coffee.)

Forgetting its Gender

Mistake: “La cambio es bueno.”

Correction: El cambio es bueno. Remember that 'cambio' is a masculine word, so it uses 'el' and 'un'.

menudo

/meh-NOO-doh//meˈnuðo/

nounB1General
Use 'menudo' when you specifically need coins or loose currency, especially when asking if someone has them to make change.
A small pile of various shiny metal coins spilling out of a worn leather pouch onto a wooden surface.

Examples

¿Tiene menudo para devolverme el cambio?

Do you have small change (coins) to give me back?

Perdón, no tengo cambio. ¿Me puede pagar con menudo?

Excuse me, I don't have change. Can you pay me with small coins?

Encontré un poco de menudo en el bolsillo del pantalón.

I found a little bit of loose change in my pants pocket.

Always Masculine

When used for money, 'menudo' is always a masculine noun ('el menudo') and is usually treated as singular, even though it refers to many small coins.

sencilla

sen-SEE-yah/senˈsiʝa/

nounB2General
Use 'sencilla' when referring to loose coins or money in small denominations, often in a slightly more formal or polite request.
A small, neat pile of various silver and copper colored round coins resting on a wooden surface, representing small change or loose money.

Examples

Perdone, ¿me podría dar cambio con sencilla?

Excuse me, could you give me change in small coins?

Disculpe, ¿tiene sencilla para pagar el taxi?

Excuse me, do you have small change to pay for the taxi?

El cajero me dio mucha sencilla.

The cashier gave me a lot of change/coins.

Noun Use

When used as a noun meaning 'change,' it is always feminine: 'la sencilla'. This usage is derived from the idea of 'simple' or 'small' money.

Distinguishing 'cambio', 'menudo', and 'sencilla'

The most common mistake is using 'cambio' when you specifically mean coins. While 'cambio' can refer to money returned, 'menudo' and 'sencilla' are more precise for referring to the actual coins themselves.

Related Translations

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