propina
proh-PEE-nah
/pɾoˈpina/
📝 In Action
¿Dejamos una propina del diez por ciento?
A1Should we leave a ten percent tip?
El camarero fue muy amable, le daré una buena propina.
A2The waiter was very kind, I will give him a good tip.
En este restaurante, la propina ya está incluida en la cuenta.
B1In this restaurant, the gratuity is already included in the bill.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Noun Alert
Remember that 'propina' is always feminine, so you must use 'la propina' (the tip) or 'una propina' (a tip) when talking about it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Gender
Mistake: “El propina es obligatoria.”
Correction: La propina es obligatoria. (The tip is mandatory.) Always use the feminine article 'la'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Cultural Context
Tipping customs vary widely across Spanish-speaking countries. In some places, tipping is appreciated but not strictly required; in others, like Mexico, it is generally expected, especially in tourist areas.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: propina
Question 1 of 1
If you say 'La propina es obligatoria,' what are you referring to?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'propina' the same as 'cambio'?
No. 'Propina' is the voluntary money you give for service (the tip). 'Cambio' means 'change' or 'the money you get back' after paying, although sometimes people may leave the 'cambio' as the 'propina'.
How do I ask if the tip is included?
You can ask, '¿Está incluida la propina?' (Is the tip included?) or '¿Se incluye el servicio?' (Is the service charge included?).