Bolivian Spanish word

el sencillo

Meaning: small change (synonym of suelto)

How it is used in Bolivia

You'll hear both 'suelto' and 'sencillo' for loose change, '¿no tiene sencillo?' is what the señora asks when your bill is too big.

Small bills and coins, the fuel of Bolivian ticket windows, trufis and market stalls. Announcing your note ('le pago con 50, ¿tiene cambio?') before handing it over is standard courtesy, because change for big bills really does run out.

'Sencillo' is small bills, the twin of 'suelto' (loose coins). Because stalls often can't break big notes, locals deliberately carry sencillo, bringing small bills to a market is a practical habit, not a nicety.

Learn it in a real situation

Plan a Trip in Bolivia, Practical Spanish

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