Both dinero and plata mean “money” in Spanish, but they differ in usage, formality, and regional preference.
Origins
Dinero
- Comes from Latin denarius, an ancient Roman silver coin.
Plata
- Means “silver” in Spanish. Historically, silver was used for coins, so plata became a slang term for money.
Usage and Meaning
Dinero
- Standard, formal word for “money.”
- Used in writing, banking, business, and most Spanish-speaking regions.
- Singular and uncountable.
Plata
- Informal/slang for “money.”
- Common in everyday speech, especially in Latin America (e.g., Argentina, Colombia, Chile).
- Comes from the idea of silver as valuable.
- Always singular and uncountable when meaning “money,” not used to mean “silver” in these contexts.
Examples
Dinero
| Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| No tengo dinero. | I don’t have money. |
| Necesito ahorrar dinero para el viaje. | I need to save money for the trip. |
| El dinero no crece en los árboles. | Money doesn’t grow on trees. |
Plata
| Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| No tengo plata. | I don’t have money. |
| ¿Tenés plata para salir? | Do you have money to go out? |
| Gastó toda la plata en ropa. | He spent all the money on clothes. |
\Note: ¿Tenés...?* is used in Rioplatense Spanish (Argentina, Uruguay).
Choose the correct Spanish sentence for: I need to save money for the trip.
Necesito ahorrar dinero para el viaje.
"Necesito ahorrar dinero para el viaje" uses the formal word "dinero" appropriate for this context.
Regional Variations
| Region | Common Usage |
|---|---|
| Spain | Dinero only; plata means “silver” literally. |
| Argentina/Uruguay | Plata is very common in speech; dinero is more formal. |
| Colombia/Chile/Peru | Plata is widely used colloquially; dinero in formal contexts. |
| Mexico | Mostly dinero; plata is understood but less common in Mexico City. |
In which country is "plata" commonly used in speech, while "dinero" is more formal?
Argentina
"Plata" is very common in everyday speech in Argentina; "dinero" is used in formal contexts.
Summary
- Use dinero for standard, formal, and universally understood “money.”
- Use plata in casual conversation, especially in Latin America, but avoid it in formal writing.
- Plata literally means “silver” but is widely accepted slang for “money” in many Latin American countries.
- Be aware of regional preferences to sound natural.
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- English Example: I don’t have money.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
