apuesta
/ah-PWEH-stah/
bet
Apuesta as a noun means 'bet' or 'wager.'
📝 In Action
¿Quién ganó la apuesta en el partido de anoche?
A2Who won the bet in last night's game?
Hicimos una apuesta de cinco dólares.
A2We made a five-dollar wager.
Perdí la apuesta y ahora tengo que pagar la cena.
A2I lost the bet and now I have to pay for dinner.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Check
Remember 'apuesta' is always feminine, so you must use 'la apuesta' or 'una apuesta' when referring to it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Common Verb
The most common verb to use when placing a bet is 'hacer' (to do/make), as in 'hacer una apuesta'.
When referring to a strategic venture, apuesta translates to 'commitment.'
📝 In Action
Su apuesta por la energía renovable fue una decisión inteligente.
B1Their commitment to renewable energy was a smart decision.
Esta tecnología es la gran apuesta de la compañía para el futuro.
B2This technology is the company's major venture for the future.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
When used figuratively, 'apuesta' means putting your effort or resources into a long-term goal, not just money on a game.
The verb form apuesta means 'he/she/it bets.'
apuesta(verb)
he/she/it bets
?3rd person singular present indicative
you bet
?formal singular present indicative
,Bet!
?informal singular command (tú imperative)
📝 In Action
Mi hermano siempre apuesta por el equipo perdedor.
A2My brother always bets on the losing team.
Si no estás seguro, no apuestes.
A2If you are not sure, don't bet.
¡Apuesta! ¿A qué tienes miedo?
B1Bet! What are you afraid of?
💡 Grammar Points
Stem-Changing Verb (O to UE)
The verb 'apostar' is irregular because the 'o' in the middle changes to 'ue' in most forms (like 'apuesta'), but NOT in the 'nosotros' or 'vosotros' forms (they keep the 'o': apostamos).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: "Yo *aposto*"
Correction: The correct form is 'Yo *apuesto*'. Remember the 'o' changes to 'ue' for most subjects.
⭐ Usage Tips
Double Meaning of 'Apuesta'
The word 'apuesta' is both the feminine noun (the bet) AND the verb form (he/she bets, or the informal command 'Bet!'). Context tells you which one it is.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: apuesta
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'apuesta' as a noun meaning 'a strategic decision'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'apuesta' related to the word 'post' or 'postal'?
Not directly in modern Spanish. While they share a distant Latin root involving 'placing' or 'putting,' 'apuesta' specifically relates to placing a wager or commitment, while 'postal' relates to placing mail.
How do I know if 'apuesta' is the noun or the verb?
Look at the small words around it! If you see 'la' or 'una' before it (La apuesta), it’s the noun (the bet). If you see a person's name or a pronoun like 'Él' or 'Ella' before it (Ella apuesta), it’s the verb form (she bets).