Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| dinheiro vivo | /d͡ʒĩˈɲe(j).ɾu ˈvi.vu/ (Brazil, word by word) | masculine |
| dinheiro | /d͡ʒĩˈɲe(j).ɾu/ (Brazil) /diˈɲɐj.ɾu/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| caixa | /ˈka.ʃɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈkaj.ʃɐ/ (Brazil) |
feminine |
| numerário | /nu.meˈɾa.ɾju/ (Brazil) /nu.mɨˈɾa.ɾju/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
The term for cash depends on whether you are referring to money in general, physical bills and coins or a specific location like a cash register. While dinheiro is the general word for money, dinheiro vivo is used specifically to denote physical cash as opposed to digital or credit payments. In a retail environment, caixa is used to refer to a cash register or the cashier's desk.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase dinheiro vivo literally translates to 'live money' to denote physical cash.
Which one should you use?
Dinheiro is the standard word for money, whereas dinheiro vivo specifically identifies physical currency. For a formal or technical way to refer to cash or funds, use numerário.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Dinheiro is the most commonly used word for cash in Portuguese. Numerário is a formal or technical term used in business, accounting, banking or legal contexts. In very informal settings, especially in Brazil, the slang term grana can be used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The slang term grana is primarily used in Brazil.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that you are paying 'in cash', use the preposition em before the word, as in em dinheiro.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of dinheiro vivo is /dʒĩˈɲe(j).ɾu ˈvi.vu/. The stress is on the second syllable of the five-syllable phrase.
Did you know?
- The word dinheiro is a distant relative of the English word 'dinar', as both stem from the Latin term for a small silver coin.
- In Portuguese, the word for 'cashier' is often just o caixa or a caixa, using the same word as the physical register.
- While caixa means 'cash register' in a store, it is also the general Portuguese word for 'box'.
Examples in context
- Onde fica a caixa?Where is the cash register?This sentence shows how to ask for the location of the caixa.Tatoeba #5966570 by sergiomelo, translation #5966557 by thomsmells
- Eu pago em dinheiro.I pay in cash.This sentence demonstrates the use of the preposition em with dinheiro to say one pays in cash.Tatoeba #1928702 by Matheus, translation #707178 by papabear
- Onde está o dinheiro?Where's the cash?This sentence is a way to ask for the location of the dinheiro.Tatoeba #4985728 by Ricardo14, translation #5901339 by CK
- Por favor, pague em dinheiro.Please pay in cash.
- Essa transação requer o pagamento em numerário.This transaction requires payment in cash.
- Eu preciso de grana para pagar o táxi.I need cash to pay the taxi.
- Tem alguma bufunfa para a cerveja?Do you have any cash for the beer?
- 63 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Mariana are at a small shop.
- RodrigoVocê pode pagar com cartão, Mariana?Can you pay with a card, Mariana?
- MarianaNão, eu só tenho dinheiro vivo.No, I only have cash.
- RodrigoTudo bem, eu também tenho dinheiro vivo.That's fine, I have cash too.
- MarianaObrigada por me ajudar, Rodrigo.Thank you for helping me, Rodrigo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cash” translations and entries dinheiro vivo, dinheiro, caixa, numerário, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (dinheiro, vivo) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caixa, dinheiro, numerário, vivo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
