Spanish word

centavo

Pronunciation

IPA/θenˈtaβo/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncent

Example

¿Cuánto cuestan? Son cincuenta centavos.

When asked 'How much do they cost?', the answer was 'Fifty cents'.

Illustration for centavo (cent)

More examples

No tengo ni un centavo.

I don't have even one cent.

Core concept

One-hundredth fraction of a currency, commonly expressed in coins or decimal cents.

Common phrases

  • un centavo

    one cent

  • varios centavos

    several cents

  • pagar con centavos

    pay with cents

Similar words

céntimo: One-hundredth fraction of a currency unit serving as the cent subdivision in Spain and for the euro.
moneda: Single metal coin of a currency.

Definition in Spanish

Moneda o unidad que equivale a la centésima parte de la unidad monetaria principal y que se usa para cantidades pequeñas.

Word origin

Formed in Spanish from Latin centum 'hundred' plus -avo, a Romance ending indicating a fractional share applied to money.

Usage tips

  • Prices in Spanish are often spoken by naming the main unit and the centavos, for example dos pesos con cincuenta centavos rather than saying only the decimal.

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