tipo de cambio
/ˌtipo de ˈkambjo/masculine
The Spanish phrase for 'exchange rate' is tipo de cambio.
In a financial context, this term refers to the currency rate.
Meaning: currency rate (finance) (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tipo de cambio literally translates to 'type of change'.
Which one should you use?
While tipo de cambio is a standard term, tasa de cambio is also a valid formal way to express the same concept.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may encounter the terms cotización del cambio or simply cambio to refer to the exchange rate.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of tipo de cambio is los tipos de cambio.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌtipo de ˈkambjo/
Did you know?
- The word tipo in tipo de cambio shares a common ancestor with the English word 'type' and originally comes from the Greek word for 'to poke'.
- In Spanish, tipo can be used as a slang term to mean 'guy' or 'fellow', which is completely unrelated to its meaning in the financial phrase tipo de cambio.
- The word cambio is highly versatile and refers to both the 'exchange rate' and the physical 'coins' returned to you after a purchase. This allows a speaker to use one word for two very different financial concepts.
Examples in context
- ¿Cuál es el tipo de cambio de hoy?What's today's exchange rate?This sentence is useful for asking for the current exchange rate.Tatoeba #618701 by Leono, translation #242501 by CK
- ¿A cuánto está el tipo de cambio para los dólares ahora?What is the exchange rate for dollars now?This sentence is useful for asking for the exchange rate regarding a specific currency like the dollar.Tatoeba #2014085 by wallebot, translation #36886 by CK
- ¿Cuál es el tipo de cambio hoy?What is the exchange rate today?Tatoeba #642343 by Dejo, translation #242502 by CC
- En este informe, debemos analizar el impacto de los cambios en el tipo de cambio en nuestra economía.In this report, we need to analyze the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on our economy.
- ¿Cuánto sale el cambio de euros a dólares? Estaba pensando en viajar a Estados Unidos el próximo mes.How much is the exchange rate from euros to dollars? I was thinking of traveling to the United States next month.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are discussing their travel budget in a cafe.
- MateoSofía, ¿sabes cuál es el tipo de cambio actual?Sofía, do you know what the current exchange rate is?
- SofíaNo estoy segura, tengo que buscarlo en mi teléfono.I am not sure, I have to look it up on my phone.
- MateoEl tipo de cambio afecta mucho nuestro presupuesto.The exchange rate affects our budget a lot.
- SofíaTienes razón, Mateo, debemos tener cuidado.You are right, Mateo, we must be careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “exchange rate” translations and entries tipo de cambio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cambio, de, tipo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
