How To Say 'Broke' In Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

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Hey guys! Ever found yourself in a situation where you need to explain that you're a bit short on cash while traveling or chatting with friends who speak Spanish? Knowing how to say "broke" in Spanish can be super handy. It's not just about the literal translation; it's also about understanding the context and choosing the right expression to fit the situation. Let’s dive into the various ways you can express being broke in Spanish, complete with examples and nuances, so you’ll be ready to handle any financial conversation like a pro.

Different Ways to Say "Broke" in Spanish

The Spanish language offers a variety of ways to express that you're broke, each with its own subtle differences and appropriate contexts. Here are some of the most common and useful phrases you can use:

1. Estar sin blanca

Estar sin blanca is a widely used expression in Spain that literally translates to "to be without white." The "white" here refers to money, as historically, white coins were often used as currency. This phrase is informal and quite common, making it perfect for casual conversations with friends and family. When you use estar sin blanca, you're conveying that you have absolutely no money.

To use this phrase effectively, you'll need to conjugate the verb estar (to be) correctly. Here are a few examples:

  • Yo estoy sin blanca. (I am broke.)
  • TĂș estĂĄs sin blanca. (You are broke.)
  • Él/Ella estĂĄ sin blanca. (He/She is broke.)
  • Nosotros estamos sin blanca. (We are broke.)
  • Vosotros estĂĄis sin blanca. (You all are broke - Spain)
  • Ellos/Ellas estĂĄn sin blanca. (They are broke.)

For example, you might say to a friend, "Lo siento, no puedo ir al cine hoy. Estoy sin blanca," which means, "Sorry, I can't go to the movies today. I'm broke."

2. No tener un duro

This is another very common expression, especially in Spain. No tener un duro means "to not have a duro." A duro was an old Spanish coin, equivalent to five pesetas. Nowadays, it's used colloquially to mean you don't have any money at all. This phrase is quite emphatic and conveys a sense of being completely broke. Like estar sin blanca, it’s best used in informal settings.

Here’s how you can use it:

  • Yo no tengo un duro. (I don’t have a penny.)
  • TĂș no tienes un duro. (You don’t have a penny.)
  • Él/Ella no tiene un duro. (He/She doesn’t have a penny.)
  • Nosotros no tenemos un duro. (We don’t have a penny.)
  • Vosotros no tenĂ©is un duro. (You all don’t have a penny - Spain)
  • Ellos/Ellas no tienen un duro. (They don’t have a penny.)

Imagine you're out with your friends, and they suggest ordering another round of drinks. You could say, "Chicos, lo siento, pero no tengo un duro," meaning, "Guys, I'm sorry, but I don't have a penny."

3. Estar pelado/a

Estar pelado/a is a more general term that means "to be broke" or "to be penniless." The word pelado literally means "peeled" or "skinned," so the expression implies that you've been stripped of all your money. This phrase is commonly used in many Spanish-speaking countries, including Mexico and Argentina. The ending of pelado changes to pelada if you are female. Estar pelada.

Here's how to conjugate it:

  • Yo estoy pelado/a. (I am broke.)
  • TĂș estĂĄs pelado/a. (You are broke.)
  • Él estĂĄ pelado. (He is broke.)
  • Ella estĂĄ pelada. (She is broke.)
  • Nosotros estamos pelados/as. (We are broke.)
  • Vosotros estĂĄis pelados/as. (You all are broke - Spain)
  • Ellos estĂĄn pelados. (They are broke.)
  • Ellas estĂĄn peladas. (They are broke.)

For example, if someone asks you to join them for a weekend getaway, you might respond with, "Me encantarĂ­a ir, pero estoy pelado/a este mes," which means, "I would love to go, but I'm broke this month."

4. No tener ni un centavo

This phrase translates directly to "to not have even one cent." It's a straightforward and universally understood way to express that you're completely broke. No tener ni un centavo is common throughout Latin America and is suitable for both informal and slightly more formal situations.

Here’s how it looks in different forms:

  • Yo no tengo ni un centavo. (I don’t have even one cent.)
  • TĂș no tienes ni un centavo. (You don’t have even one cent.)
  • Él/Ella no tiene ni un centavo. (He/She doesn’t have even one cent.)
  • Nosotros no tenemos ni un centavo. (We don’t have even one cent.)
  • Vosotros no tenĂ©is ni un centavo. (You all don’t have even one cent - Spain)
  • Ellos/Ellas no tienen ni un centavo. (They don’t have even one cent.)

Imagine you’re at a market and realize you’ve forgotten your wallet. You could say, "¡Ay no! No tengo ni un centavo para pagar esto," meaning, "Oh no! I don’t have even one cent to pay for this."

5. Estar en la ruina

Estar en la ruina is a more dramatic way of saying you're broke. It translates to "to be in ruins" or "to be ruined." This phrase implies a more severe financial situation, suggesting that you're not just temporarily broke but facing significant financial hardship. It's suitable for situations where you want to emphasize the seriousness of your financial state.

Here's how to use it:

  • Yo estoy en la ruina. (I am ruined.)
  • TĂș estĂĄs en la ruina. (You are ruined.)
  • Él/Ella estĂĄ en la ruina. (He/She is ruined.)
  • Nosotros estamos en la ruina. (We are ruined.)
  • Vosotros estĂĄis en la ruina. (You all are ruined - Spain)
  • Ellos/Ellas estĂĄn en la ruina. (They are ruined.)

For example, if you’ve lost your job and are struggling to pay your bills, you might say, "DespuĂ©s de perder mi trabajo, estoy en la ruina," meaning, "After losing my job, I am ruined."

6. Andar corto de dinero

Andar corto de dinero means "to be short on money." This phrase is a more polite and less drastic way of saying you're broke. It suggests that you're not completely penniless, but you don't have much money to spare. It’s a good option for more formal or professional settings where you want to be tactful about your financial situation.

Here’s how it conjugates:

  • Yo ando corto de dinero. (I am short on money.)
  • TĂș andas corto de dinero. (You are short on money.)
  • Él/Ella anda corto de dinero. (He/She is short on money.)
  • Nosotros andamos cortos de dinero. (We are short on money.)
  • Vosotros andĂĄis cortos de dinero. (You all are short on money - Spain)
  • Ellos/Ellas andan cortos de dinero. (They are short on money.)

If your colleague invites you to a fancy dinner, you could respond with, "Me encantarĂ­a, pero ando corto de dinero este mes," meaning, "I would love to, but I'm short on money this month."

Regional Variations

Spanish is a diverse language, and the way you say "broke" can vary significantly from one country to another. Here are a few regional variations to keep in mind:

  • Mexico: In addition to estar pelado, you might hear estar sin lana. Lana is a colloquial term for money in Mexico, so estar sin lana means "to be without wool," metaphorically implying you have no money.
  • Argentina: Estar seco/a is a common expression, meaning "to be dry." This implies that your financial resources have dried up. Also estar chivo which means “to be broke”.
  • Chile: Estar pato is used, which literally means "to be a duck." The connection to being broke is not immediately obvious, but it's a common expression in Chile.
  • Colombia: You might hear estar raspando la olla, which means "to be scraping the pot." This suggests that you're down to your last resources.

Understanding these regional variations can help you better navigate conversations and avoid misunderstandings when speaking with people from different Spanish-speaking countries.

Tips for Using These Phrases

  • Context is Key: Choose the phrase that best fits the situation. Estar en la ruina is more dramatic than andar corto de dinero, so use them accordingly.
  • Consider Your Audience: Stick to informal expressions like estar sin blanca or no tener un duro when talking to friends and family. Use more polite phrases like andar corto de dinero in professional settings.
  • Be Aware of Regional Differences: If you're traveling or speaking with someone from a specific country, try to learn the local expressions for being broke.
  • Practice Makes Perfect: The best way to become comfortable using these phrases is to practice them in real conversations. Don't be afraid to make mistakes – that's how you learn!

Example Dialogues

To help you get a better feel for how these phrases are used in context, here are a few example dialogues:

Dialogue 1: With a Friend (Spain)

  • You: Oye, Âżquieres ir a tomar algo este fin de semana? (Hey, do you want to go for a drink this weekend?)
  • Friend: Me encantarĂ­a, pero estoy sin blanca. ÂżPodemos hacer algo mĂĄs barato? (I would love to, but I'm broke. Can we do something cheaper?)
  • You: Claro, podemos ir al parque o ver una pelĂ­cula en mi casa. (Sure, we can go to the park or watch a movie at my house.)

Dialogue 2: With a Colleague (Latin America)

  • Colleague: ÂżTe gustarĂ­a unirte a nosotros para la cena de la empresa? (Would you like to join us for the company dinner?)
  • You: Me encantarĂ­a, pero ando corto de dinero este mes. Tal vez la prĂłxima vez. (I would love to, but I'm short on money this month. Maybe next time.)
  • Colleague: Entiendo. ÂĄLa prĂłxima vez serĂĄ! (I understand. Next time it will be!)

Dialogue 3: With Family (Mexico)

  • Family Member: ÂżQuieres ir de compras con nosotros? (Do you want to go shopping with us?)
  • You: Quisiera, pero estoy pelado/a. GastĂ© todo mi dinero en el viaje. (I would like to, but I'm broke. I spent all my money on the trip.)
  • Family Member: No te preocupes, te invitamos nosotros. (Don't worry, we'll treat you.)

Conclusion

So, there you have it! A comprehensive guide on how to say "broke" in Spanish. From estar sin blanca to andar corto de dinero, you now have a variety of phrases to express your financial situation in different contexts. Remember to consider your audience, be aware of regional variations, and practice these phrases to become more confident in your Spanish conversations. Whether you're chatting with friends, traveling abroad, or discussing finances with colleagues, you'll be well-equipped to handle any situation. ¥Buena suerte y que nunca estés en la ruina! (Good luck, and may you never be ruined!)