Make change Meaning in English

expression

US

UK

Definition

To give someone cash in smaller coins or bills after receiving a larger amount, especially during a purchase.

Usage & Nuances

Commonly used in shops, restaurants, or any place where cash is handled. Sometimes confused with 'make a change' (to improve or alter something), which means something different. Often used in the context 'Can you make change for...?'.

• Spanish: dar cambio - hacer cambio (dinero)
• Portuguese (BR): dar troco - trocar dinheiro (moeda/notas)
• Portuguese (PT): dar troco - trocar dinheiro (moedas/notas)
• Chinese (Simplified): 找零钱 - 兑换零钱
• Chinese (Traditional): 找零錢 - 兌換零錢
• Hindi: चेंज देना - पैसे बदलना
• Arabic: إعطاء فكة - صرف النقود
• Bengali: খুচরো টাকা দিতে থাকা - খুচরা করা
• Russian: разменять деньги - дать сдачу
• Japanese: 両替する - 小銭に崩す
• Vietnamese: đổi tiền lẻ
• Korean: 거스름돈을 주다 - 잔돈을 마련하다
• Turkish: bozdurmak - para üstü vermek
• Urdu: ریز پیسے واپس کرنا - کھلا دینا
• Indonesian: memberikan uang kembalian - menukar uang dengan pecahan kecil

Example Sentences

Can you make change for a twenty dollar bill?

basic

The cashier couldn’t make change because she had no coins left.

basic

I need to make change so I can pay for the bus.

basic

He asked the store clerk if she could make change for a fifty.

natural

It’s hard to make change when all you have are big bills.

natural

Sorry, I can’t make change for that big bill.

natural