What does paisa mean?
The paisa is a subunit of currency used in several South Asian countries, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. One paisa equals one-hundredth of a rupee or similar unit. Historically, the paisa was a coin of small denomination, but its use has largely been discontinued. The term remains relevant in everyday conversation, particularly when discussing small amounts of money or nostalgic prices from the past. Understanding the paisa helps provide context for economic discussions and cultural references in these regions.
nounA paisa is a unit of currency in some South Asian countries, equal to one-hundredth of a rupee.
- A unit of currency
- A coin of small denomination
"The street vendor charged me twenty paisa for a newspaper."
"The cost of a postcard was five paisa in 1980."
"The paisa coin was withdrawn from circulation in the 1990s."
Paisa can be used as a mass noun or a countable noun, with the plural form often used to emphasize multiple units.
"The total cost was fifty paisa."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of paisa
The word paisa originates from the Hindi and Urdu term for 'quarter', which was also the name of a coin worth one-quarter of a rupee. The paisa coin was introduced in India during the British colonial era and was used in various forms across the Indian subcontinent. The term is related to other South Asian currency units, such as the rupee and anna.
How paisa is actually used
The term paisa is primarily used in India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh to refer to a small unit of currency.