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contante

cash

noun kohn-TAHN-teh Less Common
People & Society Money

Origin: From contare (to count)

Usage Note

Contante is most commonly used in the plural i contanti to mean cash money (pagare in contanti = to pay in cash). The singular il contante exists but is less natural; the plural is standard in everyday speech. Contante literally means 'counting/counted,' echoing the idea of physical counted money as opposed to electronic payment.

Examples

"Preferisco pagare in contanti al mercato."

Natural Translation

I prefer to pay in cash at the market.

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