What does it mean word for word?
The phrase dame mi dinero is composed of da (the imperative form of dar, to give), me (me), mi (my) and dinero (money).
Which one should you use?
Devuélveme el dinero is an informal way to specifically request the return of your money.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Dame mi dinero uses the informal tú imperative. For a formal setting or when addressing someone using the usted register, you should use deme mi dinero. You can add politeness to the informal version by saying Dame mi dinero, por favor. A formal way to say "Give me my money, please" is Deme mi dinero, por favor. If you want to be even more polite and indirect in a formal way, you can say Le agradecería que me entregue mi dinero, which translates to "I would appreciate it if you could give me my money".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word dame is a combination of the imperative verb da and the indirect object pronoun me. Because dame mi dinero uses the informal tú imperative, you must switch to deme mi dinero if you are addressing someone formally.
How do you pronounce it?
/dame mi dineɾo/
Did you know?
- While dinero is the standard word for money, Spanish speakers often use the slang word pasta in Spain to refer to money in casual settings.
- The root of dinero is linked to the Proto-Indo-European word for 'ten', as the Roman denarius was originally worth ten asses.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, demanding money directly with dame mi dinero can be seen as extremely aggressive or a sign of a broken relationship.
Examples in context
- Dame mi dinero, Yanni.Give me my money, Yanni.This sentence is useful for showing how to use the phrase dame mi dinero when addressing someone by name.Tatoeba #10023953 by manufrutos, translation #10023844 by Amastan
- Deme mi dinero, por favor. No he recibido el reembolso que me prometieron.Give me my money, please. I haven't received the refund I was promised.
- Devuélveme el dinero que te presté. Lo necesito para cubrir mis gastos.Give me back the money I lent you. I need it to cover my expenses.
- Dame mi dinero ahora mismo.Give me my money right now.
- Ya te lo pedí, dame mi dinero.I already asked you, give me my money.
Example conversation
María is confronting Daniel about an unpaid debt in a cafe.
- MaríaDaniel, dame mi dinero.Daniel, give me my money.
- DanielNo tengo todo el efectivo ahora.I don't have all the cash right now.
- MaríaMe lo debes desde la semana pasada.You have owed it to me since last week.
- DanielEstá bien, te lo pagaré mañana.Alright, I will pay you tomorrow.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dinero, mi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
