cambio
/ˈkambjo/
The English phrase 'spare change' can be translated into Spanish as cambio.
cambio refers to a small amount of coins that a person has and can give away. It can also refer to the standard amount of money received back after a transaction.
Which one should you use?
While cambio is a standard term for spare change, it is also the standard word used for the change you receive back from a purchase after paying with a larger bill. In many contexts, the word suelto is used specifically to refer to loose change or the coins one carries in a pocket.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkambjo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you are asking for 'spare change' as a beggar, you would use the word limosna, which literally means 'alms'.
- In radio communications, Spanish speakers use the word cambio at the end of a transmission to signify 'over'.
- While suelto refers to loose change, it is also used to describe a person who is 'uninhibited' or 'extroverted' in social situations.
Examples in context
- ¿Tienes cambio?Do you have any change?
- ¿Tienes algo de cambio?Do you have any spare change?
- No tengo cambio en mi cartera.I don't have any spare change in my wallet.
- Solo tengo un poco de cambio.I only have a little bit of spare change.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are at a coffee shop near the counter.
- SofíaJavier, ¿tienes cambio para la máquina?Javier, do you have any spare change for the machine?
- JavierNo, no tengo nada de cambio conmigo.No, I don't have any spare change on me.
- SofíaQué lástima, yo tampoco tengo.That's a shame, I don't have any either.
- JavierBuscaremos en el coche entonces.We will look in the car then.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cambio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
