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B1 sustantivo masculino plural #5 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

dólares

Top 5

At the A1 level, you learn 'dólares' as a basic vocabulary word for shopping and numbers. You use it to say how much something costs in a simple way. For example, 'Esto cuesta cinco dólares'. You focus on the fact that it is a masculine word ('los dólares') and that it comes after the number. You don't need to worry about complex economics yet, just how to pay for a coffee or a souvenir during a trip. It is one of the first 'real-world' nouns you use with numbers from 1 to 100.

At the A2 level, you start using 'dólares' in more varied contexts, such as talking about your salary, your savings, or travel expenses. You learn to use it with verbs like 'gastar' (to spend) and 'ahorrar' (to save). You also begin to understand the difference between 'un dólar' (singular) and 'muchos dólares' (plural). You might use it to describe a past event, like 'Ayer compré una camisa por veinte dólares'. You are also introduced to the idea of 'centavos' (cents) to describe prices more accurately.

At the B1 level, 'dólares' becomes a tool for more complex interactions. You can discuss exchange rates ('el tipo de cambio') and express opinions about prices. You understand the grammar rule that 'millón' requires 'de' (un millón de dólares), while 'mil' does not (mil dólares). You can handle situations at a bank or a currency exchange office with confidence. You also start to recognize that 'dólares' is the official currency in countries like Ecuador, which adds a cultural layer to your understanding of the word.

At the B2 level, you use 'dólares' in technical or professional discussions. You might talk about 'la devaluación' (devaluation) of a local currency against the dollar or 'la inflación'. You can follow news reports about the global economy where 'dólares' are mentioned as a reserve currency. You are comfortable using the word in hypothetical situations, such as 'Si tuviera un millón de dólares, viajaría por el mundo'. Your pronunciation is clear, and you correctly place the stress on the first syllable (dó-la-res).

At the C1 level, you understand the nuances of how 'dólares' functions as a socio-political symbol in Latin America. You can discuss topics like 'la dolarización' (dollarization) and its pros and cons for a nation's economy. You are familiar with regional slang and idioms related to money. You can write formal financial reports or essays where 'dólares' is used precisely. You also understand the historical context of the word and its relationship to other international currencies in a globalized market.

At the C2 level, your use of 'dólares' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You can navigate complex legal and financial documents where 'dólares' are the unit of account. You can engage in deep academic or philosophical debates about the future of the dollar as a global hegemony. You understand subtle cultural references in literature or film where the mention of 'dólares' carries specific connotations of power, corruption, or the 'American Dream'. You use the word effortlessly in any register, from street slang to high-level diplomacy.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

dólares en 30 secondes

Plural of 'dólar', the currency of the USA and several Latin American countries.
Always masculine: use 'los dólares', 'muchos dólares', or 'unos dólares'.
Essential for travel, business, and discussing the global economy in Spanish.
Pronounced with three syllables (dó-la-res) and a clear 's' at the end.

The term dólares is the plural form of the masculine noun dólar. In the Spanish-speaking world, this word carries immense weight, representing not just a currency but a symbol of economic stability, international trade, and often, a preferred method of savings in countries with volatile local currencies. When you use the word dólares, you are referring to the official currency of the United States, but also to the official currency of several Spanish-speaking nations such as Ecuador, El Salvador, and Panama. Understanding how to use this word is fundamental for anyone traveling, doing business, or living in Latin America.

Economic Context: In many Latin American countries, prices for high-value items like real estate, cars, or electronics are often quoted directly in dólares to avoid the effects of local inflation.

The word is strictly masculine. Therefore, any adjectives or articles associated with it must reflect this gender. You will say los dólares (the dollars), muchos dólares (many dollars), or unos pocos dólares (a few dollars). It is a common mistake for English speakers to forget the 'es' pluralization, as the English plural 'dollars' sounds similar but follows different phonetic rules.

El precio de la casa es de doscientos mil dólares.

Historically, the word has roots that trace back to Europe, but in modern Spanish, it is inextricably linked to the Americas. Whether you are at a currency exchange (casa de cambio), a bank (banco), or a local market (mercado), the word dólares will be your primary tool for financial transactions. In countries like Argentina, you might hear specific variations like dólar blue, referring to the unofficial exchange rate, but the plural dólares remains the standard term for the physical bills.

Furthermore, the use of dólares extends into the digital realm. With the rise of digital banking and international transfers, dólares are often the default currency for freelance work and remote services across borders. It is not just physical paper; it is a conceptual unit of value that transcends national boundaries.

Social Register: While dólares is the formal and standard term, in casual conversation, people might use slang terms like 'verdes' (greens) or 'verdecitos' to refer to the bills, but dólares is always appropriate in any setting.

Cambié mis pesos por dólares antes de viajar a Nueva York.

In summary, dólares is a high-frequency word that is essential for B1 learners. It bridges the gap between basic vocabulary and functional fluency in real-world scenarios involving money, travel, and economy. Its consistent masculine plural form makes it a reliable word to practice noun-adjective agreement.

Using dólares correctly involves more than just knowing the word; it requires understanding the syntax of currency in Spanish. Unlike some nouns that can be abstract, dólares is a count noun. This means you will almost always see it preceded by a specific number or a quantifier like muchos, pocos, or varios.

Numerical Agreement: When stating a price, the number comes first: 'Diez dólares', 'Cien dólares', 'Mil dólares'. Note that unlike 'millones', you do not need the preposition 'de' between the number and 'dólares' for amounts under a million.

For example, you would say cinco mil dólares, but if you reach a million, the structure changes slightly to un millón de dólares. This is a subtle but important grammatical rule for intermediate learners. Adjectives must also agree in gender and number. If you want to say 'expensive dollars' (perhaps referring to a high exchange rate), you would say dólares caros.

Necesito ahorrar al menos quinientos dólares para las vacaciones.

In the context of exchange, the preposition por is frequently used. 'Cambiar pesos por dólares' (To exchange pesos for dollars). If you are talking about payment methods, you use en: 'Pagar en dólares' (To pay in dollars). This is very common in tourist areas where multiple currencies are accepted.

Another common sentence pattern involves the verb valer (to be worth) or costar (to cost). 'Ese reloj vale mil dólares'. Note that in Spanish, we don't usually use the word 'dollars' as an adjective like in 'a hundred-dollar bill'. Instead, we use the preposition 'de': 'un billete de cien dólares'.

Common Verbs: Common verbs used with dólares include: gastar (to spend), ahorrar (to save), invertir (to invest), ganar (to earn), and perder (to lose).

Ella gana tres mil dólares al mes en su nuevo trabajo.

When discussing fractions of a dollar, we use centavos. 'Un dólar con cincuenta centavos'. However, in casual speech, people often just say 'uno con cincuenta' if the context of dólares has already been established. Mastering these sentence structures will make your financial interactions in Spanish much smoother and more professional.

The word dólares is ubiquitous in daily life across the Spanish-speaking world, but the frequency and context vary by region. In 'dollarized' economies like Ecuador or Panama, you will hear it every single time you buy a loaf of bread or pay for a taxi. In these places, it is the only currency mentioned.

In the News: In countries like Argentina, Venezuela, or Mexico, you will hear dólares mentioned daily on the news broadcasts (noticieros) when discussing the 'tipo de cambio' (exchange rate). It is a key indicator of the country's economic health.

If you visit a 'casa de cambio' (exchange house) at an airport in Madrid or Mexico City, the screens will be filled with the word dólares alongside other major currencies like the euro or the libra esterlina. Clerks will ask you: '¿Desea comprar o vender dólares?' (Do you want to buy or sell dollars?).

El cajero automático solo entrega billetes de veinte dólares.

In popular culture, especially in music genres like Reggaeton or Trap, dólares are frequently mentioned as a symbol of success and wealth. Lyrics often revolve around 'ganar dólares' or 'gastar dólares' in luxury clubs. Similarly, in dubbed Hollywood movies, you will hear the word constantly as characters discuss ransoms, salaries, or prices in the US setting.

In the business world, dólares is the language of international contracts. Even if two companies are in Spanish-speaking countries, they might agree to settle their accounts in dólares to ensure a stable value. Therefore, in any corporate office in Latin America, the word is a staple of financial meetings.

Tourism and Travel: In tourist hubs like Cancun, Punta Cana, or Cartagena, vendors on the street or in shops will often quote prices in dólares to foreigners, assuming it is an easier reference point for international travelers.

¿Aceptan dólares o solo moneda local?

Finally, you will hear it in the family context. Many families in Latin America receive 'remesas' (remittances) from relatives working in the United States. Conversations about how many dólares were sent and what the current exchange rate is are common household topics.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using dólares is related to its pluralization and pronunciation. In English, the 's' in 'dollars' is often soft or voiced like a 'z'. In Spanish, the 's' in dólares is a clear, voiceless 's', and the 'e' before it must be pronounced distinctly. Do not say 'dólars'; always include that extra syllable: dó-la-res.

Gender Confusion: Another error is treating dólares as feminine because it ends in 'es' or because the speaker is thinking of 'la moneda' (the currency). Remember: el dólar is masculine, so los dólares is the only correct plural form.

Another common pitfall is the use of the preposition 'de'. As mentioned before, learners often say 'cien de dólares' (imitating 'a hundred of dollars' or perhaps confusing it with 'un millón de dólares'). Correct: cien dólares. Incorrect: cien de dólares. The 'de' is only used for 'millón' and above, or when describing a specific bill: 'un billete de cien dólares'.

Incorrecto: Tengo diez dólars. Correcto: Tengo diez dólares.

Placement of adjectives can also be tricky. In English, we say 'US dollars'. In Spanish, the adjective follows the noun: dólares estadounidenses. Using the English order 'estadounidenses dólares' sounds very unnatural and is a clear sign of a literal translation from English.

Finally, be careful with the word 'plata'. While 'plata' is a common slang for money in many countries (like Colombia or Argentina), you cannot use it to mean 'dollars' specifically. If you want to specify the currency, you must use dólares. Saying 'Tengo mucha plata' means 'I have a lot of money', but it doesn't specify which currency you are holding.

The 'Million' Rule: Remember: 1,000,000 dólares = Un millón de dólares. 1,000 dólares = Mil dólares (no 'de').

Perdí veinte dólares en la calle ayer.

By avoiding these common mistakes—mispronunciation, wrong gender, unnecessary prepositions, and incorrect adjective placement—you will sound much more like a native speaker when discussing finances.

While dólares is the specific name for the currency, there are many related words and alternatives depending on the context and the level of formality you wish to convey. Understanding these will help you navigate different social situations.

Money in General: Dinero: The standard, formal word for money. Use this when you aren't specifying the currency.
Efectivo: Cash. If you are paying with physical dólares, you are paying 'en efectivo'.

If you are in a specific country, you might use the name of the local currency as a comparison. For example, in Mexico, you have pesos; in Spain, euros; in Peru, soles. When comparing them, you often talk about the 'tipo de cambio' (exchange rate) between dólares and the local currency.

¿Prefieres que te pague en dólares o en euros?

In terms of slang, the Spanish language is incredibly rich. Here are a few alternatives you might hear for 'money' (which could imply dólares depending on the country):

Plata: (Silver) Extremely common in South America.
Lana: (Wool) Very common in Mexico.
Guita: Common in Argentina and Uruguay.
Pelas: Older slang from Spain (referring to pesetas, but sometimes used for money in general).

When referring to the physical bills, you use the word billetes. 'Tengo tres billetes de veinte dólares'. If you are referring to coins, you use monedas. 'Tengo unas monedas de dólar'. Note that in the US, dollar coins are rare, but in Ecuador, they are very common.

Financial Terms: Divisa: A formal term for foreign currency. The dollar is a 'divisa fuerte' (strong currency).
Capital: Refers to a large amount of money or investment funds.

El inversor aportó diez mil dólares de capital inicial.

By knowing these alternatives, you can tailor your speech to be more formal (using divisa), more casual (using plata), or more precise (using billetes). However, dólares remains the most important specific term to master for any financial transaction involving the US currency.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"La transacción se liquidará en dólares estadounidenses."

Neutre

"¿Cuántos dólares cuesta la entrada?"

Informel

"Me faltan unos dólares para completar la cuenta."

Child friendly

"Si portas bien, te daré dos dólares para dulces."

Argot

"Pásame los verdes que te presté."

Le savais-tu ?

The Spanish 'Real de a ocho' (Spanish dollar) was actually the inspiration for the US dollar and was legal tender in the US until 1857.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈdɒləz/

US /ˈdɑːlərz/

The stress in Spanish is on the first syllable: DÓ-la-res.

Rime avec

collares lugares cantares juglares milares pilares solares azares

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing it as 'dólars' (missing the 'e').
Placing the stress on the second syllable (do-LÁ-res).
Using a 'z' sound for the final 's'.
Pronouncing the 'd' with the tongue on the teeth (Spanish 'd' is dental).
Ignoring the written accent in 'dólar' when writing.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it is a cognate.

Écriture 2/5

Requires remembering the accent on the 'o' and the 'es' plural.

Expression orale 2/5

Needs correct syllable stress (DÓ-la-res).

Écoute 1/5

Easily understood in context.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

dinero números pagar comprar precio

Apprends ensuite

cambio banco tarjeta cuenta ahorro

Avancé

inflación devaluación divisa cotización remesas

Grammaire à connaître

Pluralization of words ending in a consonant

dólar -> dólares, color -> colores

Noun-Adjective Agreement (Gender/Number)

Los dólares estadounidenses (Masculine Plural)

Use of 'de' with large numbers

Un millón de dólares vs. Mil dólares

Stress on 'esdrújula' words

Dólares always has an accent on the third-to-last syllable.

Preposition 'por' for exchange

Cambio euros por dólares.

Exemples par niveau

Tengo cinco dólares.

I have five dollars.

Simple number + noun agreement.

¿Cuánto cuesta? Diez dólares.

How much does it cost? Ten dollars.

Using 'dólares' to state a price.

Necesito dos dólares para el bus.

I need two dollars for the bus.

Noun used as a direct object.

Él tiene muchos dólares.

He has many dollars.

Using the quantifier 'muchos' (masculine plural).

Son tres dólares, por favor.

It's three dollars, please.

Verb 'ser' used for prices.

El café vale un dólar.

The coffee is worth one dollar.

Singular form 'dólar' for comparison.

Aquí hay veinte dólares.

Here are twenty dollars.

Using 'hay' (there is/are).

Quiero cambiar mis dólares.

I want to change my dollars.

Possessive adjective 'mis' (plural).

Ayer gasté cincuenta dólares en el mercado.

Yesterday I spent fifty dollars at the market.

Preterite tense with currency.

Mi hermano ahorra cien dólares cada mes.

My brother saves a hundred dollars every month.

Present tense, habitual action.

Este libro es barato, solo cuesta ocho dólares.

This book is cheap, it only costs eight dollars.

Adjective 'barato' describing the object, not the currency.

No tengo suficientes dólares para el viaje.

I don't have enough dollars for the trip.

Using 'suficientes' (plural adjective).

Ella me prestó diez dólares ayer.

She lent me ten dollars yesterday.

Indirect object pronoun 'me'.

El boleto de cine cuesta doce dólares.

The movie ticket costs twelve dollars.

Specific noun 'boleto' with price.

Perdí mis últimos cinco dólares.

I lost my last five dollars.

Ordinal adjective 'últimos'.

Compré estos zapatos por cuarenta dólares.

I bought these shoes for forty dollars.

Preposition 'por' for exchange.

Si el tipo de cambio baja, compraré más dólares.

If the exchange rate goes down, I will buy more dollars.

First conditional sentence.

En Ecuador, la gente usa dólares estadounidenses.

In Ecuador, people use US dollars.

Adjective 'estadounidenses' following the noun.

Me gustaría ganar mil dólares a la semana.

I would like to earn a thousand dollars a week.

Conditional mood 'gustaría'.

He ahorrado tres mil dólares para mi nuevo coche.

I have saved three thousand dollars for my new car.

Present perfect tense.

Es difícil vivir con solo quinientos dólares al mes.

It is difficult to live on only five hundred dollars a month.

Infinitive 'vivir' with 'con'.

El cajero me dio billetes de cien dólares.

The cashier gave me hundred-dollar bills.

Phrase 'billetes de...'.

No creo que esos dólares sean falsos.

I don't think those dollars are fake.

Subjunctive mood after 'no creo que'.

El premio del concurso es de un millón de dólares.

The contest prize is one million dollars.

Use of 'de' with 'millón'.

La inversión inicial fue de cincuenta mil dólares.

The initial investment was fifty thousand dollars.

Formal business vocabulary.

Muchos países mantienen sus reservas en dólares.

Many countries keep their reserves in dollars.

Economic context, 'reservas'.

A pesar de la crisis, el valor de los dólares se mantuvo estable.

Despite the crisis, the value of the dollars remained stable.

Concession clause 'A pesar de'.

El contrato estipula que el pago debe hacerse en dólares.

The contract stipulates that the payment must be made in dollars.

Passive voice 'hacerse'.

Se estima que la deuda asciende a varios millones de dólares.

It is estimated that the debt amounts to several million dollars.

Impersonal 'se' and 'asciende a'.

Es fundamental diversificar tus ahorros más allá de los dólares.

It is fundamental to diversify your savings beyond dollars.

Infinitive as a subject.

La fluctuación de los dólares afecta las exportaciones.

The fluctuation of dollars affects exports.

Abstract noun 'fluctuación'.

Habían recaudado miles de dólares para la caridad.

They had raised thousands of dollars for charity.

Past perfect tense.

La hegemonía de los dólares en el mercado petrolero es incuestionable.

The hegemony of dollars in the oil market is unquestionable.

Advanced vocabulary 'hegemonía'.

El flujo de dólares hacia el exterior ha preocupado al gobierno.

The flow of dollars abroad has worried the government.

Noun phrase 'flujo de dólares'.

Cualquier transacción que supere los diez mil dólares debe ser reportada.

Any transaction exceeding ten thousand dollars must be reported.

Relative clause with subjunctive 'supere'.

La escasez de dólares en el mercado local disparó la inflación.

The shortage of dollars in the local market triggered inflation.

Causal relationship in economics.

Los inversionistas se refugiaron en los dólares ante la incertidumbre política.

Investors took refuge in dollars in the face of political uncertainty.

Reflexive verb 'refugiarse'.

No se puede subestimar el impacto de los dólares en la economía global.

One cannot underestimate the impact of dollars on the global economy.

Impersonal 'se' with modal 'puede'.

El blanqueo de dólares es un delito grave perseguido internacionalmente.

Dollar laundering is a serious crime pursued internationally.

Legal terminology 'blanqueo'.

La paridad entre el euro y los dólares ha variado significativamente este año.

The parity between the euro and the dollars has varied significantly this year.

Technical term 'paridad'.

La arquitectura financiera global pivota sobre la liquidez de los dólares.

The global financial architecture pivots on the liquidity of dollars.

Metaphorical use of 'pivota'.

La volatilidad intrínseca de los mercados no ha mermado la confianza en los dólares.

The intrinsic volatility of the markets has not diminished confidence in dollars.

Sophisticated adjectives 'intrínseca' and 'mermado'.

Se debate si la preeminencia de los dólares llegará a su fin en esta década.

It is debated whether the preeminence of dollars will come to an end this decade.

Subordinate clause with 'si'.

La inyección masiva de dólares en la economía tuvo repercusiones imprevistas.

The massive injection of dollars into the economy had unforeseen repercussions.

Abstract economic concept.

El trasfondo geopolítico de la circulación de dólares es sumamente complejo.

The geopolitical background of the circulation of dollars is extremely complex.

Compound noun 'trasfondo geopolítico'.

La dolarización de facto en ciertos países responde a una pérdida de soberanía monetaria.

De facto dollarization in certain countries responds to a loss of monetary sovereignty.

Latinism 'de facto'.

Resulta paradójico que la deuda externa se denomine casi exclusivamente en dólares.

It is paradoxical that external debt is denominated almost exclusively in dollars.

Impersonal construction with 'resulta'.

La trazabilidad de los dólares en el sistema bancario es clave contra el narcotráfico.

The traceability of dollars in the banking system is key against drug trafficking.

Technical term 'trazabilidad'.

Collocations courantes

tipo de cambio

billete de cien dólares

ahorrar dólares

ganar dólares

invertir dólares

millones de dólares

pagar en dólares

cambiar dólares

dólares estadounidenses

precio en dólares

Phrases Courantes

No tengo ni un dólar

Valer mil dólares

Dólar por dólar

A precio de dólar

Lluvia de dólares

Dólar blue

Dólar turista

Dólar ahorro

Por unos pocos dólares

Cueste lo que cueste en dólares

Souvent confondu avec

dólares vs dolores

This means 'pains'. Be careful with the 'a' vs 'o'. 'Dólares' (money) vs 'Dolores' (pains).

dólares vs dólar

The singular form. Use 'dólar' for $1 and 'dólares' for $2 or more.

dólares vs pesos

A different currency used in many Spanish-speaking countries. Don't assume everyone uses dollars.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Estar forrado en dólares"

To be extremely wealthy, literally 'lined with dollars'.

Ese empresario está forrado en dólares.

informal

"No valer ni un dólar partido por la mitad"

To be completely worthless. Similar to 'not worth a plugged nickel'.

Ese consejo no vale ni un dólar partido por la mitad.

informal

"Tener el signo del dólar en los ojos"

To be greedy or only thinking about profit.

Desde que abrió el negocio, tiene el signo del dólar en los ojos.

informal

"Soltar los dólares"

To reluctantly pay or give up money.

Tuvo que soltar los dólares para reparar el coche.

informal

"Dólar que vuela, dólar que se gasta"

Money comes and goes quickly. Encourages spending or notes how fast it disappears.

En este viaje, dólar que vuela, dólar que se gasta.

informal

"Hacerse los dólares"

To make a lot of money quickly, often through a specific opportunity.

Se hizo los dólares vendiendo mascarillas en la pandemia.

informal

"Quemar dólares"

To waste money rapidly on unnecessary things.

Está quemando dólares en el casino.

informal

"Poderoso caballero es Don Dólar"

A play on a famous Spanish poem, implying that money (dollars) has the ultimate power.

Logró el permiso rápido; poderoso caballero es Don Dólar.

literary/humorous

"Enterrar los dólares"

To hide or save money in a very safe (sometimes literal) place instead of investing it.

Mucha gente prefiere enterrar los dólares que ponerlos en el banco.

informal

"Vivir a base de dólares"

To live entirely off of foreign currency or remittances.

Esa zona turística vive a base de dólares.

neutral

Facile à confondre

dólares vs dolores

Similar spelling and sound.

Dólares refers to currency; Dolores refers to physical or emotional pains. The 'a' in 'dólares' is key.

Tengo muchos dólares (money) vs. Tengo muchos dolores (pains).

dólares vs dólar

Singular vs. Plural.

Dólar is for one unit; Dólares is for multiple. In English, we often say 'five dollar bill', but in Spanish, it's 'billete de cinco dólares'.

Un dólar, dos dólares.

dólares vs dinero

General vs. Specific.

Dinero is the concept of money; Dólares is the specific currency. You can have 'dinero' that consists of 'pesos'.

Tengo dinero, específicamente cien dólares.

dólares vs efectivo

Payment method vs. Currency.

Efectivo is cash. You can pay 'en efectivo' using 'dólares'.

Pago los dólares en efectivo.

dólares vs cambio

Exchange vs. Change (coins).

Cambio can mean the exchange rate or the small coins you get back. 'Dólares' are the currency being exchanged.

El cambio de los dólares fue bueno.

Structures de phrases

Tengo [número] dólares.

Tengo diez dólares.

Cuesta [número] dólares.

Cuesta veinte dólares.

Cambiar [moneda] por dólares.

Quiero cambiar pesos por dólares.

Un billete de [número] dólares.

Tengo un billete de cincuenta dólares.

Pagar en dólares.

Prefiero pagar en dólares.

Ahorrar en dólares.

Es más seguro ahorrar en dólares.

[Número] millones de dólares.

La deuda es de cinco millones de dólares.

La cotización de los dólares.

La cotización de los dólares se disparó.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high in financial and travel contexts.

Erreurs courantes

Tengo cinco dólars. → Tengo cinco dólares.
You must add 'es' to pluralize words ending in 'r' in Spanish.
Son diez de dólares. → Son diez dólares.
Do not use 'de' between a number and the currency (unless it's millions).
Las dólares son caros. → Los dólares son caros.
Dólares is masculine, so it requires the masculine article 'los'.
Un billete de cien dólar. → Un billete de cien dólares.
Even if it's one bill, the value is plural (one hundred dollars).
Quiero cambiar mis dólares para pesos. → Quiero cambiar mis dólares por pesos.
Use 'por' to express exchange or substitution.

Astuces

The Million Rule

Remember that 'millón' is a noun, not just a number. So you must say 'un millón DE dólares'. For 'mil' (thousand), it acts as an adjective, so no 'de': 'mil dólares'.

Don't skip the E

English speakers often try to say 'dólars'. In Spanish, you must pronounce the 'e': dó-la-RE-s. It makes a big difference in sounding native.

Dollarization

In Ecuador, Panama, and El Salvador, you don't need to exchange money if you have US dollars. They are the official currency!

Billetes vs. Monedas

Use 'billetes' for paper money and 'monedas' for metal coins. 'Tengo billetes de cinco dólares'.

Pagar en...

When talking about the currency you are using to pay, always use the preposition 'en'. '¿Puedo pagar en dólares?'

The Accent Mark

The accent on 'dólares' is mandatory. It's an 'esdrújula' word. Always put the 'tilde' on the 'o'.

Verdes

If you want to sound very informal or like you're in a movie, you can call them 'verdes'. '¿Tienes los verdes?'

Ask for the rate

In countries where the dollar isn't official, always ask '¿A cuánto toman el dólar?' to know the exchange rate they are offering.

Small bills

In Latin America, it's often hard to get change for $50 or $100 bills. Try to carry 'billetes de veinte dólares' or smaller.

Countable

Treat 'dólares' like 'apples'. You can have one, two, or many. It follows all the rules of countable plural nouns.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Dolly' (the sheep) having 'Rays' of money. DO-LA-RES. She has three rays, so three syllables.

Association visuelle

Imagine a green dollar bill with a giant 'ES' written on the end of it to remember the plural form.

Word Web

Banco Billete Cajero Cambio Compra Venta Ahorro Gasto

Défi

Try to count from 1 to 20 in Spanish, adding the word 'dólares' after every number. Then try to say 'I have X dollars' for each.

Origine du mot

The word 'dólar' comes from the German 'Thaler', which was a shortened form of 'Joachimsthaler'.

Sens originel : A silver coin minted in Joachimsthal (now Jáchymov in the Czech Republic) starting in 1518.

Germanic origin, adapted into Spanish via English.

Contexte culturel

Be mindful when discussing money in countries with high inflation; it can be a stressful topic for locals.

English speakers often take the dollar for granted, but in Spanish-speaking countries, its value is a daily topic of conversation.

The movie 'Por un puñado de dólares' (A Fistful of Dollars) starring Clint Eastwood. The song 'Dólares' by various Latin urban artists. The concept of 'The Almighty Dollar' often translated as 'El poderoso caballero Don Dinero/Dólar'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Shopping

¿Cuánto es en dólares?
¿Aceptan dólares?
Es muy caro en dólares.
Tengo cambio en dólares.

Banking

Quiero retirar dólares.
¿Cuál es la tasa para el dólar?
Necesito billetes de cien dólares.
Mi cuenta está en dólares.

Travel

¿Dónde puedo cambiar dólares?
Solo tengo dólares.
¿Es mejor pagar en dólares?
Perdí mis dólares.

Work

Mi salario es en dólares.
El presupuesto es de mil dólares.
Cobro cincuenta dólares por hora.
Envié los dólares por transferencia.

Daily Conversation

Me encontré cinco dólares.
Préstame diez dólares.
No tengo ni un dólar.
Ahorré unos dólares.

Amorces de conversation

"¿Sabes a cuánto están los dólares hoy en la casa de cambio?"

"¿Prefieres ahorrar en moneda local o en dólares?"

"¿Crees que es caro pagar veinte dólares por un almuerzo?"

"¿Alguna vez has viajado a un país que use dólares?"

"¿Qué harías si te encontraras cien dólares en la calle?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escribe sobre una vez que tuviste que cambiar dólares en un viaje. ¿Fue difícil?

¿Cómo afectaría a tu vida diaria si tu país empezara a usar dólares?

Describe qué comprarías si tuvieras mil dólares para gastar hoy mismo.

¿Por qué crees que los dólares son tan importantes en la economía mundial?

Haz una lista de tus gastos mensuales aproximados en dólares.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Es masculino. Siempre se dice 'los dólares' o 'muchos dólares'. Nunca uses 'las dólares'. Esto es porque el singular 'el dólar' es masculino.

Se escribe 'dólares'. Se añade 'es' al final de la palabra porque termina en consonante ('r'). También mantiene el acento en la 'o'.

No, se dice simplemente 'cien dólares'. La preposición 'de' solo se usa con 'millón' (un millón de dólares) o para describir un billete (un billete de cien dólares).

Además de Estados Unidos, países como Ecuador, El Salvador y Panamá usan el dólar estadounidense como su moneda oficial o legal.

'Dólar' es singular (1) y 'dólares' es plural (2 o más). Ejemplo: 'Tengo un dólar' vs. 'Tengo dos dólares'.

Se pronuncia en tres sílabas: DÓ-la-res. El acento tónico está en la primera sílaba. La 's' final es suave, no como una 'z'.

No, 'dólares' es específico para la moneda de ese nombre. Para dinero en general, usa la palabra 'dinero' o 'plata'.

Se dice 'billete de dólar' (singular) o 'billetes de dólar' (plural). Si quieres especificar el valor, dices 'billete de veinte dólares'.

Sí, el símbolo $ se usa para los dólares, pero ten cuidado porque en muchos países también se usa para el peso local. A veces se escribe 'US$' para mayor claridad.

Es un término usado principalmente en Argentina para referirse al mercado informal o paralelo de compra y venta de dólares, fuera del control del gobierno.