tengo dinero
/tenɡo dineɾo/from spelling rules
To say "I got money" in Spanish, use tengo dinero.
This phrase is used to make a statement that you possess a sum of money.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the first-person singular conjugation of tener (to have) and dinero (money).
Which one should you use?
You might use me sobra dinero if you specifically mean you have money to spare. If you want to say you are extremely wealthy, you can use the slang estoy forrado/a.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, the slang term tengo feria is commonly used to mean "I've got money". In Spain, the slang expression estoy forrado/a is often used among younger speakers to mean "I'm loaded".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase tengo dinero, the subject pronoun yo (I) is omitted because the verb ending -go already indicates the first-person singular.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo dineɾo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, it is common to refer to 'money' as plata, which literally means 'silver'. This reflects a historical era when silver coins were the primary form of currency.
- The spelling of dinero was influenced by the Byzantine Greek word dinárion.
- In many parts of Mexico and Latin America, you might hear someone say they have feria instead of dinero when speaking informally.
Examples in context
- Tengo dinero para el café.I have money for coffee.
- No te preocupes, yo tengo dinero.Don't worry, I have money.
- Tengo dinero en mi billetera.I have money in my wallet.
Example conversation
Javier and María are deciding whether to buy lunch.
- Javier¿Quieres ir a comer al restaurante nuevo?Do you want to go eat at the new restaurant?
- MaríaSí, pero no sé si es muy caro.Yes, but I don't know if it is very expensive.
- JavierNo importa, yo tengo dinero.It doesn't matter, I have money.
- María¡Qué amable eres, Javier!You are so kind, Javier!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dinero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
