crédito

/KREH-dee-toh/

credit

A large hand gently passing a small stack of golden coins to another open hand, against a solid colorful background, representing a loan.

Showing financial crédito (credit), where money is borrowed or lent.

crédito(noun)

mA2

credit

financial agreement; ability to borrow

loan

money borrowed

Also:

credit limit

maximum amount allowed

📝 In Action

Pedí un crédito al banco para comprar la casa.

I asked the bank for a loan to buy the house.

¿Tienes buen crédito? Eso es importante para conseguir la hipoteca.

Do you have good credit? That is important to get the mortgage.

Pagaré esto a crédito, en tres cuotas.

I will pay for this on credit, in three installments.

Word Connections

Synonyms

préstamo (loan)
financiación (financing)

Common Collocations

tarjeta de crédito – credit card
solicitar un crédito – to apply for a loan
intereses de crédito – loan interest

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun Rule

Remember that 'crédito' is always masculine, so you must use 'el' or 'un': 'el crédito' (the credit).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Gender Confusion

Mistake: "La crédito es muy alto."

Correction: El crédito es muy alto. (The credit is very high.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'A crédito'

When you buy something using borrowed money and paying it back over time, use the phrase 'a crédito' (on credit/installment plan).

A stylized drawing of a mortarboard cap resting on top of a single, open book, symbolizing academic achievement and course completion.

Earning academic crédito (credit) for successfully completing a course.

crédito(noun)

mB1

credit

academic unit/course requirement

unit

measure of study time

📝 In Action

Necesitas 60 créditos para graduarte este semestre.

You need 60 credits to graduate this semester.

Esta clase otorga tres créditos.

This class grants three credits.

Word Connections

Synonyms

unidad (unit)

Common Collocations

transferencia de créditos – credit transfer
créditos obligatorios – mandatory credits

💡 Grammar Points

Counting Academic Units

In this context, 'crédito' is usually used in the plural when counting: 'los créditos' (the credits).

Two stylized cartoon hands clasped together in a firm handshake, representing trust, reliability, and believability.

The crédito (credibility) or trustworthiness of a person.

crédito(noun)

mC1

credibility

quality of being believable

recognition

acknowledgment of effort or achievement

Also:

trust

faith in someone

📝 In Action

Su testimonio perdió todo crédito después de que se descubrieron las mentiras.

His testimony lost all credibility after the lies were discovered.

Le doy crédito por su esfuerzo, aunque no ganamos.

I give him credit for his effort, even though we didn't win.

Word Connections

Synonyms

confianza (trust)
reputación (reputation)

Antonyms

desconfianza (distrust)

Common Collocations

dar crédito a alguien – to give credit/believe someone
gozar de crédito – to enjoy credibility/trust

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Dar crédito'

When you want to say you believe someone or acknowledge their contribution, use the phrase 'dar crédito a' (to give credit/believe).

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Context

This meaning is often used in professional or analytical writing, such as journalism or legal discussions.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: crédito

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'crédito' to refer to academic study units?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

acreditar(to accredit/to prove) - verb

creer(to believe) - verb

creencia(belief) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'crédito' the same as 'débito'?

No. 'Crédito' (credit) means you are borrowing money now and paying it back later. 'Débito' (debit) means the money is taken directly from your bank account right now, without borrowing.

How do you say 'credit card' in Spanish?

You use the full phrase: 'tarjeta de crédito'. Remember that 'tarjeta' (card) is feminine, but 'crédito' remains masculine.