dólares estadounidenses
/dolaɾes estadounidenses/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'us dollars' is dólares estadounidenses.
The phrase refers to the official currency used in the United States. In many Spanish-speaking contexts, if the context of the United States is already established, people will often simply say dólares.
Which one should you use?
While dólares estadounidenses is the most precise term, you may also encounter dólares americanos to mean the same thing. In many contexts, the shorter dólares is used when the specific country is already understood.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, people often use the term dólares americanos or simply dólares to refer to US dollars. In Spain, dólares estadounidenses is commonly used in formal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is dólar estadounidense.
How do you pronounce it?
/dolaɾes estadounidenses/
Did you know?
- In many Latin American countries, the term verde (meaning 'green') is used as a slang noun to refer to US dollars. You might hear someone ask for unos verdes when they want some cash.
- The word dólar does not come from the 'dollar' of the United States, but from the thaler, a large silver coin used in Europe during the 16th century.
- Some Spanish speakers avoid dólares americanos because 'American' refers to the entire continent. To them, the phrase implies the currency belongs to all of the Americas rather than just the US.
Examples in context
- Ana tiene que entregar cien dólares estadounidenses para completar la transacción.Ana has to deliver one hundred US dollars to complete the transaction.
- Necesito pagar la cuenta en el restaurante. ¿Tienes unos dólares encima?I need to pay the bill at the restaurant. Do you have any dollars on you?
- El precio está en dólares estadounidenses.The price is in US dollars.
- ¿Aceptan dólares estadounidenses aquí?Do you accept US dollars here?
- Necesito cambiar mis dólares estadounidenses.I need to exchange my US dollars.
Example conversation
At a travel exchange office.
- SofíaHola, ¿puedo cambiar dólares estadounidenses?Hello, can I exchange US dollars?
- MateoSí, Sofía, lo podemos hacer ahora.Yes, Sofía, we can do it now.
- SofíaGracias, Mateo. ¿Qué tipo de cambio usan?Thanks, Mateo. What exchange rate do you use?
- MateoUsamos el tipo de cambio oficial.We use the official exchange rate.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
