el sencillo

How it is used in Bolivia

Small bills, the fuel of Bolivian ticket windows, trufis and market stalls; loose coins are suelto. You will hear both words when change runs short.

Change for big notes really does run out, so locals carry sencillo on purpose ('Tener sencillo'): a daily habit across Bolivia that keeps the line moving, and a practical habit at a market, not a nicety. A museum window may not break a Bs 100 note for a Bs 30 ticket, and drivers may not have change for a big note for the pasaje.

At a stall, paying with sencillo is appreciated, especially early on a Saturday when the casera has little change; '¿no tiene sencillo?' is what the señora asks when your bill is too big. If you only have a big note, say so before she weighs everything: announcing it before handing it over ('le pago con 50, ¿tiene cambio?') is standard courtesy.