hard currency
- noun
- /hɑrd ˈkɜrənsi/
:
efectivo
- In times of economic uncertainty, investors often turn to hard currency to protect their assets.
Examples
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Many travelers prefer to carry hard currency when visiting foreign countries for better trading options.
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Van Buren insisted on following Jackson's policies of accepting only hard currency (gold and silver) rather than paper money, refusing to charter a national bank, and taking few steps that could stem the crisis.
Blog text (15) -
The hotel only accepted hard currency for payments, so I exchanged my funds before checking in.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Money in the form of coins and bills
16
1.6
Money made of printed paper notes that a government uses
10
2.7
Money in the form of bills and coins, not cards or electronic payments
4
4.0
Coins or paper money that the law says must be accepted for payment
3
2.5
Money in printed notes that people use instead of coins
Antonyms
How Tangible
Surface Forms
Morphology
The gaming meaning — a premium, often purchasable in‑game currency — is not directly derivable from the literal senses 'hard' (firm/solid) + 'currency' (money). There is a partial, metaphorical link ("hard" as real/valuable/convertible vs in‑game "soft" currency) that could give some clue, but this technical/jargon use is not reliably predictable for an average B1 learner.
Etymology
Hard currency can also mean physical money you can hold, like bills and coins, because it feels 'hard' and real compared with a 'check' or an 'electronic payment'. That's why people use the term for cash they can use right away.