gano
/GAH-noh/
I win
Gano: I win. The child is celebrating winning the competition.
📝 In Action
Siempre gano cuando juego a las cartas.
A1I always win when I play cards.
Si entreno duro, gano la carrera fácilmente.
A2If I train hard, I win the race easily.
⭐ Usage Tips
Winning vs. Beating
In Spanish, 'gano' often implies winning the contest itself. If you want to say 'I beat him,' you can use 'le gano' (I win against him) or 'lo venzo' (I defeat him).
Gano: I earn. This person is happily counting the money they earned from their salary.
📝 In Action
¿Cuánto gano si trabajo horas extras?
A2How much do I earn if I work overtime?
Gano un buen sueldo en mi nuevo trabajo.
B1I earn a good salary in my new job.
💡 Grammar Points
Direct Object
When talking about earning money, the money itself is the direct object (what receives the action). For example: 'Gano [el dinero]' (I earn [the money]).
Gano: I gain. The race car is gaining speed as it drives down the track.
📝 In Action
Cuando dejo de hacer ejercicio, gano peso fácilmente.
B1When I stop exercising, I gain weight easily.
Con cada proyecto, gano más experiencia profesional.
B2With every project, I gain more professional experience.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gaining vs. Increasing
Mistake: "Using 'aumento' (I increase) when talking about weight: 'Aumento peso'."
Correction: Use 'gano peso' (I gain weight). 'Aumentar' is generally used for abstract concepts or volume, not personal weight.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: gano
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'gano' to mean 'I earn'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'gano' always used for myself (I)?
Yes. 'Gano' is the special form of the verb 'ganar' that only works with 'yo' (I) in the present tense. It tells you immediately who is doing the action.
Why does 'ganar' mean both 'to win' and 'to earn'?
These two meanings come from the same ancient concept of 'acquiring something desired.' Whether you acquire a prize (winning) or acquire money (earning), the action is similar in Spanish.