Inklingo

How to Say "bail" in Spanish

English → Spanish

fianza

fee-AHN-sah (Latin America) / fee-AHN-thah (Spain)/ˈfjan.sa/

nounB1general
Use 'fianza' when referring to money paid to a court to ensure a person accused of a crime will appear for trial, allowing their temporary release from custody.
A hand outside a barred door passing a stack of money to a hand inside, symbolizing payment for release from custody.

Examples

El abogado está trabajando para conseguir una fianza para su cliente.

The lawyer is working to get bail for his client.

Tuvimos que pagar una fianza muy alta para que saliera de la cárcel.

We had to pay a very high bail so that he could leave jail.

Cuando alquilas el apartamento, siempre tienes que dejar una fianza.

When you rent the apartment, you always have to leave a security deposit.

Gender Reminder

Even though 'fianza' ends in -a, remember it is a feminine noun, requiring feminine articles (la fianza, una fianza).

garantía

nounB2legal, financial
Use 'garantía' when referring to a pledge or security, often of a financial or legal nature, that ensures the fulfillment of an obligation, such as a loan or contract.

Examples

El banco exigió una garantía inmobiliaria para aprobar la hipoteca.

The bank required real estate collateral to approve the mortgage.

Fianza vs. Garantía

Learners often confuse 'fianza' and 'garantía' because both can relate to security. Remember that 'fianza' specifically refers to money for release from jail, while 'garantía' is a broader term for any kind of security or pledge.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.