How do you day "I only have..." (but meaning limited option)

Question

Hi, what's the best way of saying "(apologies but) I've only got a 50 euro note" when for example you are trying to pay for something which only costs a couple of euros? I'm not sure if "solo tengo" is appropriate here, as I am not saying "this is all I have" (ie limited amount) but rather, this is my only option to pay. Can you help? Thank you!

Welcome to SpanishDict. Please complete your profile as it relates to language. Thanks. - rac1, Jul 12, 2014

Bosqueroble is right. You can almost always use "sólo" (note the written accent) when translating "I only or I just...(have, want, need, can) anything" from English to Spanish. - Jubilado, Jul 12, 2014

Answer 1

I think the difference between:

Sólo tengo un billete de cincuenta euros

and

Sólo tengo cincuenta euros

would be apparent.

Or you could say:

No tengo nada más pequeño (que un billete de cincuenta euros).

I am an intermediate level learner.

;) - gringojrf, Jul 12, 2014

Una buena respuesta :) - FELIZ77, Jul 12, 2014

Answer 2

lo siento, pero tengo demasiado dinero.

I would advise not saying this, you might be robbed! It means "I am sorry, but I have too much money."

Feliz is right about the RAE determination of sólo and solo, but this is a recent change, so I still prefer the old way of many years of writing it with tilde, ha ha!

We can also say solamente.

In Mexico it´s also common to say for this situation: Sólo tengo / traigo un billete de a cincuenta.

:) - FELIZ77, Jul 14, 2014

Answer 3

This happens all the time. And I usually say, No tengo nada más pequeño. or Esto es solo que tengo.

Remember in this scenario the big bill is already on display so the subject of the discussion is obvious.

Answer 4

I agree with bosque and I would say:

Lo siento, sólo (o solo* ) tengo un billete de cincuenta euros.

The RAE* says that solo without the accent is also acceptable!

I hope this also helps

Answer 5

or you could say, lo siento, pero tengo demasiado dinero. tienes cambio por un billete tan grande? jajaja

Answer 6

Thanks for all your answers!