Signification
To have no money at all.
Contexte culturel
The 'duro' was so central to Spanish life that people still calculate large sums in 'duros' occasionally, especially the older generation. 1 duro = 5 pesetas. In Mexico, the equivalent is 'no tener ni un quinto'. The 'quinto' refers to an old 5-centavo coin. Argentines often say 'estar seco' (to be dry) or 'estar en la lona' (to be on the canvas, like a boxer). In Chile, they use 'estar pato'. Being 'duck' means you have no money.
Add 'ni' for drama
Saying 'No tengo ni un duro' makes you sound much more native and emphasizes your lack of money.
Avoid 'ser'
Never say 'Soy un duro' to mean you are broke. That means 'I am a tough person'.
Signification
To have no money at all.
Add 'ni' for drama
Saying 'No tengo ni un duro' makes you sound much more native and emphasizes your lack of money.
Avoid 'ser'
Never say 'Soy un duro' to mean you are broke. That means 'I am a tough person'.
Regional variations
If you are in Mexico, try 'no tengo ni un quinto' to impress the locals!
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'tener'.
Yo no _______ un duro para ir al concierto.
The subject is 'Yo', so the verb 'tener' must be conjugated as 'tengo'.
Which phrase is the most natural way to say you are broke in a bar in Spain?
A: No tengo un duro. B: No poseo capital. C: Mi dinero es cero.
'No tengo un duro' is the most common and natural idiom for this context.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
—¿Quieres ir a cenar fuera? —Me gustaría, pero es que...
The speaker is declining an invitation, so they need the negative idiom 'no tengo un duro'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You just checked your bank account and it says €0.00.
This is the perfect situation to express that you have no money.
Match the Spanish idiom with its English equivalent.
1. No tener un duro. 2. Estar forrado.
'No tener un duro' means broke, and 'estar forrado' is a common idiom for being very rich.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Duro vs. Hard
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesYo no _______ un duro para ir al concierto.
The subject is 'Yo', so the verb 'tener' must be conjugated as 'tengo'.
A: No tengo un duro. B: No poseo capital. C: Mi dinero es cero.
'No tengo un duro' is the most common and natural idiom for this context.
—¿Quieres ir a cenar fuera? —Me gustaría, pero es que...
The speaker is declining an invitation, so they need the negative idiom 'no tengo un duro'.
You just checked your bank account and it says €0.00.
This is the perfect situation to express that you have no money.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
'No tener un duro' means broke, and 'estar forrado' is a common idiom for being very rich.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsYes, it will be understood, but it might sound a bit 'Spanish' (from Spain). Locals might prefer 'no tener ni un peso'.
Not at all. It's just informal. It's a very normal way to talk about money with friends.
No, in this specific idiom, 'duro' is a noun referring to an old coin, not the adjective for 'hard'.
You can say 'no tener duros', but the singular 'un duro' is much more common for the idiom.
No, it only refers to money. You can't say 'no tengo un duro de paciencia'.
Surprisingly, yes! Even though they never used the coin, the phrase is still very popular.
'Estar pelado' is slightly more slangy, while 'no tener un duro' is a standard informal idiom.
You can say 'estoy forrado' or 'tengo mucha pasta'.
Yes! 'Cuando era estudiante, nunca tenía un duro'.
Yes, 'no disponer de fondos' or 'no tener liquidez'.
No, it usually implies you are broke right now, at this moment.
The 5-peseta coin was the most iconic and useful small unit of currency for a long time.
You can, and people do, but it's not an 'idiom'—it's just a literal statement.
Yes, you'll see it in modern Spanish novels to make dialogue sound realistic.
Expressions liées
Estar sin blanca
synonymTo be broke
Estar pelado
synonymTo be 'peeled' (penniless)
Estar forrado
contrastTo be very rich
Estar a dos velas
similarTo be broke or in a bad situation
No tener ni un clavo
synonymTo not have a single nail
