cambiar dinero
/kambjaɾ dineɾo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, to change money is cambiar dinero.
The phrase cambiar dinero is used to describe the act of exchanging one currency for another.
Which one should you use?
While cambiar dinero is the standard phrase for the action, you can also use cambiar moneda if you are specifically referring to exchanging one type of currency for another. If you wish to refer to the concept or the service itself rather than the action, use the noun phrase cambio de divisas.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase Cambiar plata is an informal expression found in several Latin American countries, including Argentina and Chile.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb phrase cambiar dinero describes the action, whereas cambio de divisas is the noun phrase used to name the service or the concept of currency exchange.
How do you pronounce it?
/kambjaɾ dineɾo/
Did you know?
- The word dinero shares a common Proto-Indo-European ancestor with the English word 'ten', as the original Roman denarius was worth ten asses.
- In many Spanish-speaking contexts, 'moneda' can mean the physical coins in your pocket, whereas 'dinero' is a more general term for wealth or cash.
- The noun divisas used in cambio de divisas refers specifically to foreign currencies rather than general money.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿dónde puedo cambiar dinero?Excuse me, where can I change money?
- Necesito realizar un cambio de divisa.I need to make a currency exchange.
- Oye, ¿sabes dónde puedo cambiar plata?Hey, do you know where I can change money?
- ¿Me puedes ayudar a hacer el cambio de billetes/monedas?Can you help me exchange banknotes/coins?
- Necesito cambiar dinero en el banco.I need to change money at the bank.
- ¿Dónde puedo cambiar dinero hoy?Where can I change money today?
- Ella quiere cambiar dinero por euros.She wants to change money for euros.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are at the airport.
- LucíaMateo, ¿sabes dónde podemos cambiar dinero?Mateo, do you know where we can change money?
- MateoSí, hay una oficina allí.Yes, there is an office over there.
- LucíaPerfecto, voy a cambiar dinero ahora.Perfect, I am going to change money now.
- MateoYo también necesito algunos pesos.I need some pesos too.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cambiar, dinero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
