Significado
To have no money at all (a 'duro' was an old Spanish coin).
Contexto cultural
The 'duro' is a cultural icon. Even people born after the Euro was introduced know what it means because of this phrase. It represents a collective nostalgia for the Peseta era. In most of Latin America, 'duro' is not used this way. Instead, you'll hear 'estar limpio' (Puerto Rico/DR), 'estar chiro' (Ecuador), or 'estar arrancado' (Cuba). Young people often use 'estar tieso' or 'estar pelado' as alternatives, but 'sin un duro' remains the most universally understood across generations. During the 2008 financial crisis, this phrase saw a massive resurgence in news headlines and social commentary as a way to describe the 'new poor'.
Use it for empathy
If a friend says they are broke, replying with 'Yo también estoy sin un duro' is a great way to show solidarity.
Spain only
Remember that while understood, this sounds very 'Spanish from Spain'. Use local equivalents in Latin America.
Significado
To have no money at all (a 'duro' was an old Spanish coin).
Use it for empathy
If a friend says they are broke, replying with 'Yo también estoy sin un duro' is a great way to show solidarity.
Spain only
Remember that while understood, this sounds very 'Spanish from Spain'. Use local equivalents in Latin America.
The 'Ni' factor
Add 'ni' for emphasis: 'No tengo ni un duro' sounds much more native and passionate.
Teste-se
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'estar' or 'quedarse'.
Ayer compré una televisión nueva y ahora ______ sin un duro.
The subject is 'yo' (implied by 'compré'), so 'estoy' is the correct first-person singular form of 'estar'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say you're broke in Spain?
Choose the best option:
'Estoy sin un duro' is the standard idiomatic expression in Spain.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate phrase.
Juan: ¿Quieres ir al cine esta noche? María: Me encantaría, pero es que...
María is declining an invitation, so 'estoy sin un duro' (I'm broke) is the logical reason.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate situation.
Phrase: 'Me he quedado sin un duro.'
'Me he quedado' implies a change of state caused by an event, like paying a big bill.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Broke in Different Countries
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosAyer compré una televisión nueva y ahora ______ sin un duro.
The subject is 'yo' (implied by 'compré'), so 'estoy' is the correct first-person singular form of 'estar'.
Choose the best option:
'Estoy sin un duro' is the standard idiomatic expression in Spain.
Juan: ¿Quieres ir al cine esta noche? María: Me encantaría, pero es que...
María is declining an invitation, so 'estoy sin un duro' (I'm broke) is the logical reason.
Phrase: 'Me he quedado sin un duro.'
'Me he quedado' implies a change of state caused by an event, like paying a big bill.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, people will understand you because of Spanish media, but it will sound like you are from Spain. It's better to use local slang like 'limpio' or 'chiro'.
Yes, it's too informal. If you need to discuss a raise, use 'mi situación económica actual' instead.
It was a 5-peseta coin. Before the Euro, it was the most common small coin in Spain.
Because being broke is a temporary state. Even if you are broke for a long time, Spanish grammar treats it as a condition, not a permanent trait.
No, the phrase is fixed in the singular: 'sin un duro'.
Yes, 'estar pelado' is a very close synonym, perhaps slightly more informal.
Usually, yes, or at least that you don't have enough for whatever is being discussed (like dinner or a movie).
Absolutely! It's very common in WhatsApp messages between friends.
Yes, you could say 'no disponer de fondos' or 'estar en una situación económica difícil'.
Yes, 'sin un duro' specifically refers to financial poverty.
Frases relacionadas
Estar pelado
synonymTo be 'peeled' or broke.
Estar a dos velas
similarTo be broke or lacking something.
No tener ni un céntimo
similarTo not have a single cent.
Nadar en la abundancia
contrastTo be swimming in wealth.
