plata
everyday, Chile
In everyday Chilean Spanish "money" is plata. Dinero is the standard word and is used in writing and formal speech. It is also called luca.
Meaning: currency, cash (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| plata | everyday, Chile |
| dinero | standard, neutral |
| luca | slang, 1,000 pesos |
People say no tengo plata for "I have no money" and ahorrar plata for "to save money". Chileans also count in lucas, where una luca means 1,000 pesos.
Which one should you use?
Dinero is correct everywhere but sounds more formal. Plata is the word you will hear in shops, at home and among friends.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Plata is also common in Colombia and Argentina, but luca as a unit of 1,000 pesos is very typical of Chile.
Did you know?
- The Chilean peso has no cents in everyday use, so prices are whole numbers and large amounts are spoken in lucas.
Examples in context
- No tengo plata hoy.I have no money today.
- Esto cuesta cinco lucas.This costs five thousand pesos.
- Tengo que ahorrar dinero para el viaje.I have to save money for the trip.
Example conversation
Matías and his friend Pedro are deciding where to eat in Valparaíso.
- Matías¿Vamos a comer algo?Shall we go eat something?
- PedroAndo sin plata, hermano.I am out of money, man.
- MatíasYo invito. Tengo diez lucas.My treat. I have ten thousand pesos.
- PedroGracias, te debo una.Thanks, I owe you one.
