plata

Lemma Details

Translation: silver; money; cash

Part of Speech: noun

Etymology: From Latin 'plattus' meaning 'flat', which evolved to 'plata' in Spanish. The connection to silver comes from the flat sheets or plates of this precious metal. The secondary meaning of 'money' developed because silver coins were a common currency. English words like 'plate' and 'platinum' share this Latin root, with platinum literally meaning 'little silver' due to its similar appearance.

Commonality: 90%

Guessability: 50%

Register: neutral

Mnemonics

  • Think of a silver plate to remember 'plata' means silver
  • Imagine paying with a silver 'plate' to connect it to money
  • The English word 'platinum' (a precious metal like silver) sounds similar to 'plata'

Related Words, Phrases & Idioms

platero

Unknown

No translation

platería

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No translation

plateado

Unknown

No translation

no tener ni plata

Unknown

No translation

plata o plomo

Unknown

No translation

como la plata

Unknown

No translation

Synonyms

dinero

Unknown

No translation

efectivo

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No translation

argento

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No translation

Antonyms

deuda

Unknown

No translation

Cultural Context

In many Latin American countries, 'plata' is the everyday word for money, more common than 'dinero' in casual speech. The phrase 'plata o plomo' became infamous during the Colombian drug cartel era, offering the choice between accepting a bribe (silver) or being killed (lead). In Argentina and other Southern Cone countries, 'plata' is particularly prevalent as the standard term for money.

Easily Confused With

plato

Unknown

No translation

Commonality: 0%

Explanation: 'Plata' means silver or money, while 'plato' means plate or dish. They share the same Latin root but have different meanings and genders ('plata' is feminine, 'plato' is masculine).

Notes: Both words are extremely common in everyday Spanish. The connection between them makes sense historically as plates were often made of silver.

Mnemonic: 'PlaTa' ends in 'a' like 'plata' (silver/money), while 'plaTo' ends in 'o' like 'oro' (gold) - two precious metals.

plátano

Unknown

No translation

Commonality: 0%

Explanation: 'Plata' means silver or money, while 'plátano' means banana or plantain. Despite some phonetic similarity, they are unrelated words.

Notes: In some Latin American countries, 'plátano' specifically refers to plantains, while bananas may be called 'banana' or 'guineo'.

Mnemonic: 'Plátano' has the stress on the first syllable (PLÁtano) and has more syllables than 'plata'.