I am broke (no money).

Question

To say that I am broke (or without money), would I say "estoy limpio" or "soy limpio"?

Thanks.

Answer 1

In Spain we say:

Estoy arruinado,

no tengo ni un duro,

estoy sin blanca,

estoy limpio (yes, also used in Spain, like somebody has cleaned my pockets),

no tengo ni cinco.....

I vote for No tengo ni un duro! - ChamacoMalo, Sep 20, 2009

Answer 2

Estoy limpio/pelado (because usually it's just temporary).

Answer 3

Estoy quebrado. This is something of an accurate description as the value of the dollar continues to fall...

Answer 4

Depends if its permanent or temporary. "Estoy limpio." would be more like, I don't have money for a bit. As in, you are waiting on a paycheck. "Soy limpio" would mean more like you are broke, in a lot of debt, and like that for a looooooong time.

After some dictionary digging, I found: "estar sin un centavo" which means "to be without a hundreth (penny)" So, estar it is.

Answer 5

I just learned the expression "estoy limpio" a little while ago, from my amiga de Venezuela. She told this is something this is they use there all the time. I'm not how widely it's used though.

It would be interesting to know what other countries this expression is used in. The only specific country that was named above is Spain.

Answer 6

How about "no tengo un clavel". Is this still used? We say I haven´t a bean, you say you haven´t a carnation.

No me suena, no en España - 00494d19, Sep 22, 2009

Answer 7

Estoy pelado.

sí señor! - 00494d19, Sep 20, 2009

Answer 8

"Es que no tengo dinero/ni nada que dar/lo rinco que tengo/esa amor para dar/ya si tu me quieres/te puedo quere.... That's an old song...has nothing to do with the topic, though. Can anyone name who it was?

Answer 9

We tend to be very colloquial people I guess it sounds less painful than 'I have no money' because that sounds more permanent than "I'm broke" which implies that money may come in later... I don't know the psychology behind it, but it's an interesting question that I may explore when time permits! I just haven't heard 'limpio' to express being broke monetarily. I learned something new! Yaaaay!

Answer 10

But also "broke" in English is usually used with different meanings (not working or hurt). So why do people say "I'm broke" instead of plain "I have no money"?

Answer 11

After some dictionary digging, I found: "estar sin un centavo" which means "to be without a hundreth (penny)" So, estar it is.

Answer 12

I believe that means 'clean', unless it's used in a more colloquial sense with which I'm not familiar. Why not say something like "no tengo dinero"?