A young character is smiling brightly while holding a large, shining golden trophy high above their head, signifying victory or a prize earned.

gane

GAH-neh

(that) I win/earn?Present Subjunctive (Yo),(that) he/she/it wins/earns?Present Subjunctive (Él/Ella),Win! / Earn!?Formal Command (Usted)

Also:(that) you win/earn?Present Subjunctive (Usted),gain?Figurative/Subjunctive use

Quick Reference

infinitiveganar

gerundganando

past Participleganado

📝 In Action

Espero que mi equipo gane el campeonato.

I hope that my team wins the championship.

Quiero que usted gane un buen salario en su nuevo trabajo.

I want you (formal) to earn a good salary in your new job.

Si no hay dudas, gane la carrera con confianza.

If there are no doubts, win the race with confidence. (Formal command)

Word Connections

Synonyms

obtenga ((that) obtain)
conquiste ((that) conquer)

Antonyms

pierda ((that) lose)
gaste ((that) spend)

Common Collocations

que gane el mejor – may the best person win
ojalá gane – I wish he/she wins

💡 Grammar Points

Subjunctive Mood

'Gane' is the special verb form (subjunctive) used after expressions of desire, hope, or emotion, like 'Espero que...' (I hope that...).

Formal Commands

When giving a respectful command to an adult (using 'usted'), you use this form: 'Gane la partida' (Win the game).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong mood

Mistake: "Using the normal form: 'Espero que mi equipo *gana*.'"

Correction: You must use the special form for wishes: 'Espero que mi equipo *gane*.' (The verb changes form because it follows a desire.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Remembering the Form

For regular -AR verbs like 'ganar,' the subjunctive forms (like 'gane') switch to the vowel usually found in -ER/-IR verbs.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: gane

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'gane' as a formal command?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

ganar(to win, to earn) - verb

ganador(winner) - noun

ganancia(profit, earnings) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'gane' look different from the 'yo' form 'gano'?

'Gane' is the subjunctive form, which is used for wishes, doubts, and emotions. Spanish changes the vowel of the verb root here (from 'a' to 'e') to signal that the action is uncertain or desired, not a definite fact.

Does 'gane' mean 'win' or 'earn'?

It means both! The root verb 'ganar' covers both 'to win' (a game) and 'to earn' (money). The context of the sentence tells you which meaning is intended.