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cobrar

koh-BRAHRkoˈβɾaɾ

to charge (a price), to collect (a debt)

Also: to bill
VerbB1regular ar
A baker handing a loaf of bread to a customer, extending their hand to receive coins in exchange, illustrating the act of charging a price.
infinitivecobrar
gerundcobrando
past Participlecobrado

📝 In Action

¿Cuánto me vas a cobrar por cortar el césped?

A2

How much are you going to charge me for cutting the grass?

Necesito cobrar esta factura antes de fin de mes.

B1

I need to collect this invoice before the end of the month.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • facturar (to bill)
  • recaudar (to raise/collect (funds))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • cobrar una deuda – to collect a debt
  • cobrar una comisión – to charge a commission

to get paid, to cash (a check)

Also: to receive payment
VerbA2regular ar
A person wearing a work uniform happily receiving an envelope containing money from another person across a desk, illustrating receiving a salary.
infinitivecobrar
gerundcobrando
past Participlecobrado

📝 In Action

Yo cobro mi salario los días 15 de cada mes.

A2

I get paid my salary on the 15th of every month.

Fui al banco a cobrar un cheque grande.

B1

I went to the bank to cash a big check.

Si no cobras pronto, no podremos pagar el alquiler.

B2

If you don't get paid soon, we won't be able to pay the rent.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • cobrar el paro – to collect unemployment benefits
  • cobrar un cheque – to cash a check

to gain, to take on

Also: to acquire
VerbC1regular arformal
A small, previously timid figure standing tall with a look of determination, symbolizing the acquisition of strength or courage.
infinitivecobrar
gerundcobrando
past Participlecobrado

📝 In Action

El equipo cobró ánimo después del gol de empate.

B2

The team gained courage/spirit after the tying goal.

El tema de la inflación está cobrando mucha importancia en la política actual.

C1

The issue of inflation is taking on (or gaining) a lot of importance in current politics.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • cobrar vida – to come to life
  • cobrar fuerza – to gain strength/momentum

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedcobra
yocobro
túcobras
ellos/ellas/ustedescobran
nosotroscobramos
vosotroscobráis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedcobraba
yocobraba
túcobrabas
ellos/ellas/ustedescobraban
nosotroscobrábamos
vosotroscobrabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedcobró
yocobré
túcobraste
ellos/ellas/ustedescobraron
nosotroscobramos
vosotroscobrasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedcobre
yocobre
túcobres
ellos/ellas/ustedescobren
nosotroscobremos
vosotroscobréis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedcobrara/cobrase
yocobrara/cobrase
túcobraras/cobrases
ellos/ellas/ustedescobraran/cobrasen
nosotroscobráramos/cobrásemos
vosotroscobrarais/cobraseis
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "cobrar" in Spanish:

to acquire→to bill→to gain→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cobrar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'cobrar' in the sense of receiving a salary?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
cobro(collection, payment, charge (noun)) — Noun
cobrador(collector, bill collector (noun)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
labrarnombrar
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the vulgar Latin *recuperare*, meaning 'to recover' or 'to get back.' Over time, the 're-' prefix was dropped, and the meaning shifted from simply recovering something lost to the general action of collecting or receiving payment.

First recorded: Medieval Latin period

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: cobrarItalian: ricuperare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cobrar' the same as 'pagar'?

No! This is a common confusion. 'Cobrar' means the money is coming *to* you (you are receiving payment or demanding it). 'Pagar' means the money is leaving *you* (you are spending or giving money to someone else).

How do I say 'to charge a phone' in Spanish?

You do not use 'cobrar' for charging a battery or device. For electronics, you must use the verb 'cargar'.