intereses
“intereses” means “interests” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
interests
Also: concerns
📝 In Action
¿Cuáles son tus intereses fuera del trabajo?
A2What are your interests outside of work?
Tenemos muchos intereses en común, por eso somos buenos amigos.
B1We have many interests in common, that's why we are good friends.
interest
Also: charges
📝 In Action
El banco cobra intereses muy altos por los préstamos hipotecarios.
B2The bank charges very high interest for mortgage loans.
Ganamos intereses en la cuenta de ahorros cada mes.
B1We earn interest on the savings account every month.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: intereses
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'intereses' in the financial context?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin phrase 'inter esse,' meaning 'it is between' or 'it makes a difference.' This originally referred to compensation for a loss—the difference between what was expected and what was received. This idea of 'difference' led to the modern meanings of 'concern/what matters' and 'financial cost.'
First recorded: 15th century (in Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'intereses' plural when talking about money, even if I only mean one rate?
Spanish treats the total amount of money earned or charged as a collection of payments or costs, so the plural form 'intereses' is almost always used in financial contexts. Think of it as 'interest payments' or 'costs,' which helps justify the plural.
How is 'intereses' different from 'aficiones'?
'Aficiones' strictly means hobbies or pastimes. 'Intereses' is broader; it includes hobbies, but also subjects you are concerned about or goals you are pursuing (like 'intereses políticos' or 'intereses económicos').