What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb da (give), the indirect object pronoun me (to me) and the noun phrase el dinero (the money).
Which one should you use?
While dame el dinero uses the informal tú form, deme el dinero uses the formal usted form and is used when addressing someone with respect or distance.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form dame el dinero is informal. To be more polite or to maintain distance when addressing someone, use deme el dinero.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some Central American countries, you may hear the colloquial term la lana used to refer to money. In Argentina, the slang term la guita is used for money.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form dame is a combination of the informal imperative da and the pronoun me, where the pronoun is attached to the end of the verb. The verb dar (to give) is irregular in the imperative mood for the second person singular (tú), which is why the form is da instead of de.
How do you pronounce it?
/dame el dineɾo/
Did you know?
- The word dinero is a distant relative of the English word 'ten'. It evolved from the Latin dēnārius, which was a silver coin worth ten asses.
- Although dinero is the standard term, you might hear the word plata meaning 'silver' used for money across many Latin American countries.
- While dame el dinero is grammatically correct, a native speaker would likely add por favor or use the conditional me darías to avoid sounding like they are robbing someone.
Examples in context
- ¡Dame el dinero!Give me the money!This example shows how to use the phrase as an exclamation.Tatoeba #8223106 by ManuelML, translation #8271909 by lunchmeat317
- ¿Podría darme el dinero, por favor?Could you give me the money, please?
- Dame la plata, por favor.Give me the money, please.
- ¿Me das la lana, por favor?Can you give me the money, please?
- Dame el dinero que me debes.Give me the money you owe me.
- Dame el dinero para el taxi.Give me the money for the taxi.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are settling a debt at a cafe.
- MaríaAlejandro, dame el dinero ahora.Alejandro, give me the money now.
- AlejandroLo siento, María, no tengo nada.I'm sorry, María, I don't have anything.
- María¡No me mientas!Don't lie to me!
- AlejandroTe lo daré mañana, lo prometo.I will give it to you tomorrow, I promise.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dinero, el, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
