lempira
C1Formal/Technical
Definition
Meaning
The primary unit of currency in Honduras.
A Honduran coin or banknote, named after the 16th-century indigenous leader Lempira. It can occasionally be used in historical contexts referring to the Lenca people.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is primarily a proper noun (a currency name) and is used in international finance, travel, and economic contexts. Its usage is almost exclusively tied to Honduras.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both regions use the term in the same context when referring to Honduran currency.
Connotations
Neutral; denotes a specific foreign currency.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both regions, encountered in financial news, travel guides, or geographic/economic discussions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [noun] costs [number] lempiras.Exchange your [currency] for lempiras.The lempira is pegged to the [currency].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in forex trading reports: 'The lempira strengthened slightly against the US dollar.'
Academic
Appears in economic studies or geography texts on Central America.
Everyday
Used by tourists or expatriates in Honduras: 'Do you accept US dollars, or should I pay in lempiras?'
Technical
Used in banking and international finance for currency conversion tables.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This souvenir costs fifty lempiras.
- You need to exchange your money for lempiras when you arrive in Honduras.
- The stability of the lempira is crucial for the Honduran economy.
- Forex analysts predict a gradual depreciation of the lempira against a basket of major currencies due to trade imbalances.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: LEMpira is the currency of Honduras, like the PESo is for Mexico. Both end with 'a' and are named from historical figures.
Conceptual Metaphor
CURRENCY IS A MEASURING TOOL (for value in Honduras).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'лемпира' (a direct transliteration). In Russian, it's typically called 'гондурасская лемпира' or just 'лемпира'.
- It is not a general word for 'money' (деньги). It is a specific proper noun.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect pluralization (e.g., 'lempira' for plural; correct is 'lempiras').
- Misspelling as 'lempria' or 'lempiera'.
- Capitalising it in the middle of a sentence (only capitalise at the start of a sentence).
Practice
Quiz
What is the standard plural form of 'lempira'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Like 'dollar' or 'pound', it is only capitalised at the start of a sentence or in a title, unless part of a formal name (e.g., 'Honduran Lempira').
Lempira was a leader of the Lenca people who resisted the Spanish conquest in the 1530s. The currency was named in his honour.
No. It refers specifically to the Honduran currency. Using it generically outside of Honduras would cause confusion.
The ISO 4217 currency code is HNL.