Inklingo
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cheque

/CHEH-keh/

check

A simple illustration of a rectangular bank check with blank lines for signatures and amounts, placed on a wooden surface.

In finance, cheque refers to a bank check used for making payments.

cheque(noun)

mA2

check

?

financial instrument (US English)

Also:

cheque

?

financial instrument (UK English)

,

bank draft

?

official payment order

📝 In Action

Necesito ir al banco para depositar este cheque.

A2

I need to go to the bank to deposit this check.

El pago de la renta fue con un cheque personal.

B1

The rent payment was made with a personal check.

El cliente nos pagó con un cheque sin fondos.

B2

The client paid us with a bounced check (a check without funds).

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • talón (check (less common))

Common Collocations

  • cobrar un cheque – to cash a check
  • firmar el cheque – to sign the check
  • cheque al portador – bearer check (payable to whoever holds it)

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Rule for Money

Most money-related objects in Spanish are masculine, so we always use 'el' with 'cheque'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing the Verb

Mistake: "Usar 'pagar el cheque' cuando quieres decir 'escribir el cheque'."

Correction: Use 'hacer un cheque' or 'extender un cheque' when you mean to write one out.

⭐ Usage Tips

Cashing Checks

To say 'to cash a check' in Spanish, the most common verb is 'cobrar'.

An illustration of a small, brightly colored rectangular paper voucher or discount coupon being held up by two fingers.

Cheque can also mean a voucher or coupon used for discounts.

cheque(noun)

mB1

voucher

?

coupon or discount slip

Also:

gift certificate

?

when used with 'regalo'

,

coupon

?

especially for food or services

📝 In Action

Ganamos un cheque regalo de cincuenta euros para la librería.

B1

We won a fifty-euro gift certificate for the bookstore.

La empresa nos da cheques de comida para el almuerzo.

B2

The company gives us meal vouchers for lunch.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vale (voucher)
  • cupón (coupon)

Common Collocations

  • cheque regalo – gift voucher/certificate
  • cheque de viaje – traveler's check

💡 Grammar Points

Common Compounds

This meaning almost always appears with another word describing its purpose, like 'regalo' (gift) or 'comida' (food).

⭐ Usage Tips

Alternative Words

In many parts of Latin America, 'vale' or 'cupón' are more common than 'cheque' to refer to non-bank vouchers.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cheque

Question 1 of 1

Which of these phrases correctly uses 'cheque' in its financial sense?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

chequera(checkbook) - noun
chequear(to check / to verify) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cheque' the same as 'talón'?

Yes, in many countries, especially Mexico, 'talón' is an older or interchangeable term for a bank check. However, 'cheque' is the standard, globally recognized term for the financial instrument.

How do I say 'bounced check'?

The most common and formal way is 'cheque sin fondos,' which literally means 'check without funds.' You might also hear 'cheque rebotado' (rebounded check) in some informal settings.