🤷💴❌

How to Say ‘The thing is, I don't have change.’ in Mexican Spanish

Es que no tengo cambio.

ess keh noh TEN-goh KAHM-byoh

[ess keh noh TEN-goh KAHM-byoh]

💬 Usage Tip: es que at the start means "the thing is" and softens an excuse. It works with any explanation: es que llego tarde "the thing is, I'm running late".

Phrase Breakdown

Es que

ess keh

The thing is

A very common Mexican way to start an excuse or explanation. Blend it together: 'es-ke'.

Example

Es que llegué tarde.

The thing is, I arrived late.

Words in this phrase

[ess]

Third-person singular of “ser,” used to describe what something is like.

Example

En la pregunta «¿Cómo es...?», «es» pide una descripción.

In the question “What is ... like?”, “es” asks for a description.

que

[keh]

that

Used to introduce a clause.

Example

Quiero que lo sepas.

I want you to know.

no tengo cambio.

noh TEN-goh KAHM-byoh

I don't have change.

'Cambio' here means small bills or coins. Stress 'TEN-go' and 'CAM-bio'.

Example

Solo traigo billetes, no tengo cambio.

I only have bills, I don't have change.

Words in this phrase

[noh]

Not

A word used to make a negative statement.

Example

No estoy seguro de esta ruta.

I am not sure about this route.

tengo

[TEN-goh]

I have

First person singular of 'have', to possess.

Example

Tengo dinero en efectivo.

I have cash.

cambio

[KAHM-byoh]

change

Small money returned after payment or used to break a bill.

Example

No tengo monedas, ¿me da cambio?

I don’t have coins, can you give me change?

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