sensilyo
sensílyo with stress marks
loose change
Usage Note
Sensilyo comes from Spanish sencillo and means loose change or small coins. It is very common in everyday transactions — vendors and jeepney passengers frequently ask whether someone has exact change — reflecting a cultural norm around carrying small denominations.
Examples
" May sensilyo ka ba? "
Natural Translation
Do you have loose change?
Literal Translation
Has loose-change you question?
" Wala akong sensilyo para sa pamasahe sa jeep. "
Natural Translation
I have no loose change for the jeepney fare.
Literal Translation
None I loose-change for fare in jeep.
" Lagi akong naghahanap ng sensilyo sa bulsa ko bago sumakay ng jeep dahil madalas walang panukli ang drayber. "
Natural Translation
I always look for loose change in my pocket before riding a jeepney because the driver often has no change to give back.
Literal Translation
Always I searching of loose-change in pocket my before riding of jeep because often none change the driver.
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