pataca
Definition
Noun: 1. The basic unit of money in Macao: The pataca is the official currency of the Macao Special Administrative Region of China. It is subdivided into 100 avos.
Usage
The word "pataca" is used specifically to refer to the currency of Macao. It functions as a countable noun (e.g., one pataca, ten patacas). When discussing prices or amounts, the currency code MOP is often used in financial contexts.
Examples
- Prices in the market are listed in pataca.
- I need to exchange my dollars for patacas before traveling to Macao.
- The souvenir costs fifty patacas.
- The hotel bill was 1,200 MOP (Macanese patacas).
Advanced Usage
- Historical Context: The pataca was introduced in 1894 and is historically linked to the Portuguese currency system. Its value is currently pegged to the Hong Kong dollar.
- Abbreviation/Symbol: The official currency code is MOP. The symbol "MOP$" or simply "$" is sometimes used locally, though this can be confused with other dollar-denominated currencies.
Variants and Related Words
- Avo (noun): A subunit of the pataca. One pataca equals 100 avos. (Note: "avos" is the plural form).
- Macanese pataca: A fuller, more descriptive term for the currency.
Synonyms
- Macao currency: A descriptive synonym, though not an official name.
- MOP: The official three-letter currency code.
Notes on Meaning
The word "pataca" has only one primary meaning in modern English: it refers exclusively to the currency of Macao. It is not used as a general term for money or currency in any other context.
Noun
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the basic unit of money in Macao
