Pronunciation: [sɛntˈɑːvə͡ʊ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "centavo" can be confusing due to its Spanish origin. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as sɛnˈtɑvoʊ. The 'c' is pronounced as a soft 's' sound and the 'a' is pronounced as 'ah'. The 'v' is pronounced as a soft 'o' sound, making the word sound like sen-tah-vo. This word is commonly used in Latin America and the Philippines to refer to a monetary unit worth one-hundredth of a currency unit.
A centavo is a unit of currency used in several countries around the world. Derived from the Spanish word "centavo," which means "hundredth" or "penny," it represents a fractional denomination of a currency. A centavo is equivalent to one-hundredth of a basic monetary unit.
The term "centavo" is commonly used in Latin American countries, including Mexico, the Philippines, and various nations in Central and South America. In these countries, the centavo acts as the subunit of their main currency, facilitating smaller transactions.
In practical terms, a centavo is often represented by a coin featuring a distinct value or symbol. These coins are typically of small denominations and can vary in size, shape, and design depending on the country. Centavos are commonly used as pocket change for day-to-day transactions, especially for goods and services of minimal value.
While the specific value of a centavo may vary from one currency to another, the concept remains consistent – it represents a fraction of the main currency. Furthermore, the centavo's primary purpose is to assist in pricing items that are too small to be represented by whole currency units.
Overall, the term "centavo" refers to the fractional currency unit utilized in various countries, helping establish precise and manageable denominations for smaller transactions.
The word "centavo" comes from the Spanish language. It is derived from the Latin word "centum", meaning "hundred". In Spanish, "centavo" is a diminutive form of "ciento", which means "a hundred". Therefore, "centavo" can be translated as "a small part of a hundred" or "a hundredth part". The word is primarily used to refer to the smallest unit of currency in several Spanish-speaking countries, such as Mexico, the Philippines, and various countries in Central and South America.
