dólar estadounidense
Lemma: dólar estadounidense
Translation: US dollar; American dollar (noun)
Etymology: Compound term combining 'dólar' (from English 'dollar', which ultimately derives from German 'Thaler', a silver coin) and 'estadounidense' (meaning 'from the United States'). The term specifically identifies the currency of the United States to distinguish it from other dollar currencies like the Canadian or Australian dollar.
Example Usage
La economía de Ecuador usa el dólar estadounidense como moneda oficial.
Ecuador's economy uses the US dollar as its official currency.
El precio del petróleo se cotiza en dólares estadounidenses.
The price of oil is quoted in US dollars.
Necesito cambiar euros por dólares estadounidenses para mi viaje a Nueva York.
I need to exchange euros for US dollars for my trip to New York.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'estado' (state) + 'unidense' (united) to remember it refers specifically to the United States dollar.
- The 'dólar' with the adjective 'estadounidense' helps distinguish it from other types of dollars.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
The US dollar is frequently referenced in Spanish-speaking countries, especially those with close economic ties to the United States or those that use the US dollar as their official currency (like Ecuador, El Salvador, and Panama). In many Latin American countries, prices for luxury goods, real estate, or international transactions are often quoted in US dollars even when it's not the official currency.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: Both are dollars, but 'dólar estadounidense' refers specifically to the US currency while 'dólar canadiense' refers to Canada's currency.
Confused word:
Necesito cambiar a dólares canadienses antes de viajar a Toronto.
I need to exchange for Canadian dollars before traveling to Toronto.
Notes: When simply saying 'dólar' in most Spanish-speaking countries, it's usually assumed to be the US dollar unless specified otherwise.
Mnemonic: Estadounidense = United States, while Canadiense = Canadian
Explanation: Both are major world currencies, but 'dólar estadounidense' is the currency of the United States while 'euro' is the currency of many European countries.
Confused word:
En España se paga con euros, no con dólares.
In Spain, you pay with euros, not with dollars.
Notes: Both are frequently used in international trade and as reserve currencies.
Mnemonic: Think 'E' for Euro and Europe, 'D' for Dollar and (United States of) America.