ganó
/ga-NOH/
won
When someone won a competition or prize, we use ganó.
📝 In Action
Mi equipo favorito ganó el partido de fútbol anoche.
A1My favorite team won the soccer game last night.
¿Quién ganó el premio al mejor chef del año?
A2Who won the award for the best chef of the year?
Usted ganó la votación por un margen muy pequeño.
B1You (formal) won the vote by a very small margin.
💡 Grammar Points
Focus on the Past
Since 'ganó' ends in an accent mark (ó), it tells us the action happened and finished completely in the past, like a single event.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Past Tenses
Mistake: "Usar 'ganaba' cuando la acción terminó ('He was winning the game')."
Correction: Use 'ganó' for actions that finished: 'Él ganó el juego.' ('He won the game.'). 'Ganaba' means 'used to win' or 'was winning' (ongoing action).
⭐ Usage Tips
The Accent is Key
The accent on the 'o' is vital! 'Gano' (I win, present tense) and 'ganó' (He/She/You won, past tense) sound similar but mean very different things.
When someone earned money or a salary, we use ganó.
📝 In Action
Ella ganó un buen sueldo en su trabajo anterior.
A2She earned a good salary in her previous job.
El negocio ganó $10,000 en su primer mes de operación.
B1The business earned $10,000 in its first month of operation.
💡 Grammar Points
Earning vs. Saving
'Ganó' refers to the money coming in (earning), while 'ahorró' means money put aside (saving). Don't mix them up!
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Currency
When talking about specific amounts, use 'ganó' followed directly by the amount: 'Ganó tres mil dólares.'
When someone gained an advantage or speed, we use ganó.
ganó(verb)
gained
?reputation, speed, advantage
acquired
?influence or status
,picked up
?momentum or speed
📝 In Action
El coche ganó velocidad rápidamente en la autopista.
B1The car gained speed quickly on the highway.
Con esa decisión, el presidente ganó el apoyo del público.
B2With that decision, the president gained the public's support.
💡 Grammar Points
Abstract Objects
This meaning often involves abstract things that you can't touch, like 'respect,' 'time,' or 'reputation.' Spanish uses 'ganó' just like English uses 'gained' for these.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ganó
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'ganó' in the sense of 'earning money'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'ganó' and 'gana'?
'Ganó' (with the accent) is the past tense: 'He/She/You won' or 'He/She/You earned.' 'Gana' (no accent) is the present tense: 'He/She/You win/earns.' The accent mark is the only difference and it changes the time frame completely!
Can 'ganó' be used to mean 'beat' or 'defeated' someone?
Yes, absolutely! While the literal translation is 'won,' in a sports context, 'Mi equipo ganó a los rivales' means 'My team beat the rivals.' It's a very common usage.