Wonga
Meaning: Money, cash
British slang for money, popularized in the 2000s-2010s partly through a payday loan company of the same name. Casual and often humorous.
Examples
- Got any wonga? 有钱吗?¿Tienes dinero?お金ある?돈 있어?
- That'll take some serious wonga. 那要花不少钱。Eso va a requerir bastante dinero.それには結構金がかかるよ。그거 꽤 돈이 들 거야.
- I need to make some wonga. 我得赚点钱。Necesito hacer algo de dinero.稼がないと。돈 좀 벌어야 해.
- Spending all your wonga on that?把钱都花在那上面了?¿Gastando todo tu dinero en eso?それに全部使うの?그거에 돈 다 쓸 거야?
Pronunciation
/ˈwɒŋɡə/
Usage Guide
Context: informal, humorous
Tone: casual, playful
✓ Do Say
- Got any wonga?有钱吗?¿Tienes dinero?金ある?돈 있어?
- Need some wonga.需要点钱Necesito algo de dineroお金いる돈 좀 필요해.
- Loads of wonga.很多钱Mucho dineroたくさん金돈 엄청 많아.
✗ Don't Say
- Very informal非常非正式Muy informalとてもカジュアル매우 비격식적
- Associated with payday loans与发薪日贷款有关联Asociado con préstamos de día de pago給料日ローンと関連소액 대출(페이데이론)과 연관됨
Common Mistakes
- May be associated with controversial loan company
- British specific
Origin & History
Possibly from Romany 'wonga' meaning coal (valuable) or related to older slang. Became widely known through Wonga.com payday loan company in the 2010s.
Etymology: Possibly Romany origin, popularized by loan company
First recorded: British slang, popularized 2010s
Cultural Context
Era: Popularized 2010s
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: Wonga.com payday loans (now defunct); British casual speech
Regional notes: British slang. Association with payday loans may be negative.
Variations
Related Phrases
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