cambio
/ˈkambjo/
The Spanish phrase for change for money is cambio.
The word cambio is used to refer to both the physical coins received after a purchase and the act of exchanging one currency for another (foreign exchange).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 'cambio' is derived from the verb 'cambiar', meaning 'to change' or 'to exchange'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkambjo/
Did you know?
- The term cambio is also used in technical fields like mechanics to refer to 'gear shifts' in a vehicle, such as cambio de marchas.
- The word cambio shares a common ancestor with the English word 'change', as both stem from the Latin 'cambire', meaning 'to exchange'.
- While cambio can mean the money you receive back, in some contexts, it can also refer to a 'change of clothes', often used as cambio de ropa.
Examples in context
- ¿Puede darme cambio?Can you give me change?
- ¿Podría hacerme el cambio, por favor?Could you make change for me, please?
- Necesito hacer cambio de monedaI need to change currency.
- ¿Puedes darme cambio de billetes/monedas pequeñas?Can you give me change in small bills/coins?
- ¿Tienes cambio?Do you have change?
- ¿Podría hacerme el cambio de 100 euros, por favor?Could you change 100 euros for me, please?
- ¿Me das cambio de 20 pesos?Can you give me change for 20 pesos?
- ¿Tiene cambio para este billete grande?Do you have change for this large bill?
Example conversation
Mateo is at a small shop and wants to pay with a large bill.
- MateoHola, ¿tiene cambio de veinte?Hello, do you have change for twenty?
- MaríaLo siento, no tengo cambio ahora.I'm sorry, I don't have change right now.
- MateoEstá bien, pagaré con tarjeta.That's okay, I will pay with a card.
- MaríaPerfecto, Mateo. Pase por aquí.Perfect, Mateo. Come this way.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cambio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cambio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
