Spanish word

divisa

Pronunciation

IPA/diˈβisa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounforeign currency

Example

Voy al banco a cambiar divisas.

I am going to the bank to exchange foreign currency.

Illustration for divisa (foreign currency)

More examples

Prefiero pagar en divisa cuando viajo al extranjero.

I prefer to pay in foreign currency when I travel abroad.

Core concept

Cash in foreign currencies (notes and coins) for travel or trade.

Common phrases

  • pagar en divisa

    pay in foreign currency

  • aceptar divisas

    accept foreign currency

  • tener divisas

    have foreign currency

Similar words

moneda extranjera: Currency issued by a foreign country and used abroad.
moneda: Official currency unit or coins circulating within a country or region.
dinero: General money and cash used to pay for goods and services.
billete: Paper banknote used as a unit of currency for payments.

Definition in Spanish

Dinero extranjero (billetes o monedas) destinado al cambio y a transacciones internacionales; también distintivo o sello en sentido figurado.

Word origin

Derived from Old French devis(e) originally meaning a division or allotment in accounts, with the commercial sense shifting to money reserved for overseas transactions and then to 'divisa' in Spanish.

Usage tips

  • Used as a technical term in banking and news, appearing in phrases like 'compra de divisas' and 'venta de divisas', while everyday talk uses 'dinero'.

Other meanings

  • currencynoun
  • insignianoun

Opposites

  • moneda locallocal currencynoun

Word lists with this word