apuesta
“apuesta” means “bet” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
betAlso: stake
📝 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.
Word Connections
commitmentAlso: risk, punt
📝 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.
Word Connections
he/she/it betsAlso: you bet, Bet!
📝 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?
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: apuesta
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'apuesta' as a noun meaning 'a strategic decision'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
The word comes from the Latin verb *appositare*, meaning 'to place near' or 'to put next to.' This refers to the act of physically placing money or an object down as a pledge or wager.
First recorded: Mid-15th century (as 'apostar')
Cognates (Related words)
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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).