Non ho spiccioli.

I don't have small change / coins.

Pronunciation

'Spiccioli' — SPIC-cho-li. Three syllables. The 'cc' gives a sharp 'ch' sound.

When to use it

Say this when you only have large notes and need to pay cash. Helps the cashier understand you cannot give exact change and alerts them to prepare to make change for you.

What it means

'Spiccioli' = coins or small change. 'Non ho spiccioli' = I don't have coins. 'Spiccioli' can also refer to any small change (centesimi coins). The word is informal and colloquial — the formal equivalent is 'monete' (coins) or 'resto esatto' (exact change).

Variations

Ho solo un biglietto grande.

I only have a large note.

Explains the denominations you have.

Riesce a cambiarmi?

Can you give me change?

Asks for change directly.

Ha qualche spicciolo?

Do you have any small change?

Asks the cashier if they have coins.

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: Non ho spiccioli — ho solo un biglietto da venti. Barista: Nessun problema, il caffè è un euro e venti. Le do diciotto e ottanta di resto. Cliente: Grazie. Barista: Prego, ecco lo scontrino.

Customer: I don't have coins — I only have a twenty-euro note. Barista: No problem, the coffee is one euro twenty. I'll give you eighteen eighty change. Customer: Thank you. Barista: You're welcome, here is the receipt.

Cultural Note

Italians have a love-hate relationship with coins. The 1 and 2 cent coins are technically legal tender but many Italians discard them or round to the nearest 5 cents ('arrotondamento'). However, shops are required to accept them by law.

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