dinero
standard
The standard word for money is dinero. In Puerto Rican slang people say chavos, as in No tengo chavos. It is also called Plata.
Meaning: currency used to pay (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| dinero | standard |
| Chavos | slang, Puerto Rico |
| Plata | casual, less common |
Dinero fits every situation, from a bank to a family talk. Chavos is casual and informal, and Puerto Ricans use it with friends and family.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Chavos is typical of Puerto Rico, while in Mexico chavo means a young guy. Plata is common in South America and is understood but less often used in Puerto Rico.
How does it change in a sentence?
Dinero is singular in Spanish, so it is el dinero and mucho dinero. Chavos is plural: unos chavos.
Did you know?
- The slang chavos is so common in Puerto Rico that ni un chavo means “not a cent”.
Examples in context
- No tengo dinero para eso.I do not have money for that.
- Necesito unos chavos para el pasaje.I need some money for the fare.
- Ese carro cuesta muchos chavos.That car costs a lot of money.
Example conversation
Carlos asks his friend Wilmer for a small loan before a trip to Fajardo.
- CarlosWilmer, ¿me prestas unos chavos?Wilmer, can you lend me some money?
- Wilmer¿Cuánto necesitas?How much do you need?
- CarlosVeinte dólares. Te los pago el viernes.Twenty dollars. I will pay you back on Friday.
