Inklingo

How to Say "fare" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pasaje

pah-SAH-hehpaˈsa.xe

nounA2general
Use 'pasaje' when referring to the cost of a ticket for transportation like a plane, train, or bus trip.
A colorful paper ticket stub, slightly torn, signifying a purchased fare for travel.

Examples

Compré un pasaje de avión para mis vacaciones.

I bought a plane ticket for my vacation.

Necesito comprar un pasaje de ida y vuelta a la costa.

I need to buy a round-trip ticket to the coast.

El pasaje de metro es más caro ahora.

The subway fare is more expensive now.

Using 'Pasaje' for Events

Mistake: “Compré un pasaje para el concierto.”

Correction: Compré una entrada/un boleto para el concierto. ('Pasaje' is reserved for transport.)

tarifa

tah-REE-fahtaˈɾifa

nounA2general
Use 'tarifa' for the price of a service, most commonly for taxi rides, bus fares within a city, or sometimes for utility services.
A glowing lightbulb next to a stack of coins.

Examples

La tarifa del taxi hasta el aeropuerto es fija.

The taxi fare to the airport is fixed.

He cambiado mi tarifa de móvil para pagar menos.

I changed my mobile phone rate to pay less.

¿Cuál es la tarifa nocturna de la electricidad?

What is the night rate for electricity?

El taxista me cobró una tarifa fija hasta el aeropuerto.

The taxi driver charged me a fixed fare to the airport.

Identifying Gender

Since 'tarifa' ends in '-a', it is feminine. Always use 'la' or 'una' with it (e.g., la tarifa alta).

Tarifa vs. Precio

Use 'tarifa' for official or set costs for services (like internet or water). Use 'precio' for physical items you buy in a shop (like an apple or a shirt).

Using 'tarifa' for everything

Mistake: “¿Cuál es la tarifa de esta camisa?”

Correction: ¿Cuál es el precio de esta camisa? (Use 'precio' for physical products, 'tarifa' for services).

Pasaje vs. Tarifa

Learners often confuse 'pasaje' and 'tarifa' because both relate to costs. Remember that 'pasaje' is for a specific journey's ticket (like a plane ticket), while 'tarifa' is more for the rate or price of a service, especially for local transport like taxis or buses.

Related Translations

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