Inklingo

How to Say "fee" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “fee” is “pago” — use 'pago' for any general required sum of money that needs to be paid, like rent or a bill.

pago🔊A1

Use 'pago' for any general required sum of money that needs to be paid, like rent or a bill.

Learn more →
cuota🔊A2

Use 'cuota' for a regular, recurring payment, such as gym memberships, club fees, or subscriptions.

Learn more →
tarifa🔊A2

Choose 'tarifa' when referring to a set price or rate for a service, especially for utilities, phones, or professional services with a fixed charge.

Learn more →
comisiónB1

Use 'comisión' specifically for a charge added for a service, often by an intermediary like a real estate agent or a broker.

Learn more →
honorario🔊B1

Use 'honorario' for the payment given to professionals like lawyers, doctors, or consultants for their services.

Learn more →
prima🔊B1

Use 'prima' for a payment that is often required periodically, such as insurance premiums (car, health, life).

Learn more →
derecho🔊B2

Use 'derecho' for a specific charge or duty imposed by law or government, such as customs duties or legal fees.

Learn more →
tasa🔊B2

Use 'tasa' for an administrative or government charge, typically for a specific official service or permit.

Learn more →
English → Spanish

pago

PAH-goˈpa.ɣo

nounA1general
Use 'pago' for any general required sum of money that needs to be paid, like rent or a bill.
A close-up view of two hands performing a transaction: one hand is placing a stack of paper currency and a few coins into the open palm of the second hand.

Examples

El pago de la renta es el primer día del mes.

The rent payment is on the first day of the month.

Ella recibió el pago por su trabajo inmediatamente.

She received the payment for her work immediately.

Aceptamos el pago con tarjeta de crédito o en efectivo.

We accept payment by credit card or in cash.

Always Masculine

Even though money (la moneda) is feminine, 'pago' is a masculine noun, so use 'el pago' or 'un pago'.

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using 'pago' as the action when you mean the verb 'pagar' (to pay).”

Correction: Remember 'pago' is the thing (the payment), while 'pagar' is the action (to pay).

cuota

KWOH-tahˈkwota

nounA2general
Use 'cuota' for a regular, recurring payment, such as gym memberships, club fees, or subscriptions.
A colorful membership card and a shiny gold coin on a simple background.

Examples

La cuota del gimnasio ha subido este mes.

The gym fee went up this month.

Tengo que pagar la cuota de socio del club.

I have to pay the club membership dues.

Si no pagas la cuota, perderás el acceso al servicio.

If you don't pay the subscription, you will lose access to the service.

Always Feminine

The word is feminine, so you should always use 'la' or 'una' with it, even if the person paying is a man.

Cuota vs. Pago

Mistake: “Hice la cuota del gimnasio.”

Correction: Hice el pago de la cuota del gimnasio.

tarifa

tah-REE-fahtaˈɾifa

nounA2general
Choose 'tarifa' when referring to a set price or rate for a service, especially for utilities, phones, or professional services with a fixed charge.
A glowing lightbulb next to a stack of coins.

Examples

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).

comisión

nounB1general
Use 'comisión' specifically for a charge added for a service, often by an intermediary like a real estate agent or a broker.

Examples

El agente inmobiliario se llevó una comisión muy alta.

The real estate agent took a very high commission.

honorario

oh-noh-RAH-ryohonoˈɾaɾjo

nounB1formal
Use 'honorario' for the payment given to professionals like lawyers, doctors, or consultants for their services.
A hand holding a stack of paper bills being handed to a person in a professional suit.

Examples

El honorario del abogado por la consulta es fijo.

The lawyer's fee for the consultation is fixed.

Debemos acordar el honorario antes de empezar el proyecto.

We must agree on the fee before starting the project.

El recibo detalla cada honorario por separado.

The receipt details each fee separately.

Singular vs. Plural

While 'honorario' refers to a single rate or charge, Spanish speakers usually use the plural 'honorarios' when talking about the total bill or the concept of professional pay.

Not for Salaries

This word is only for professionals (like doctors or freelancers). Don't use it for a monthly paycheck at a regular job; use 'sueldo' or 'salario' for that.

Pay vs. Fee

Mistake: “Pagué el honorario al mesero.”

Correction: Pagué la propina al mesero (or 'el sueldo' if you are the boss). Use 'honorario' only for specialized professional services.

prima

pree-mahˈpɾi.ma

nounB1general
Use 'prima' for a payment that is often required periodically, such as insurance premiums (car, health, life).
A small stack of gold coins being dropped into a large, stylized blue shield symbol, representing an insurance premium payment.

Examples

Tenemos que pagar la prima del seguro de coche antes del lunes.

We have to pay the car insurance premium before Monday.

La prima mensual subió este año.

The monthly premium went up this year.

Context is Key

When used in finance, 'prima' almost always means the payment you make to keep an insurance policy active.

derecho

deh-REH-chohdeˈɾe.t͡ʃo

nounB2formal
Use 'derecho' for a specific charge or duty imposed by law or government, such as customs duties or legal fees.
A hand placing coins on a counter next to official-looking documents, representing the payment of a fee or duty.

Examples

Hay que pagar los derechos de aduana para importar el coche.

You have to pay the customs duties to import the car.

La factura incluye los derechos de matrícula de la universidad.

The bill includes the university's registration fees.

tasa

TAH-sahˈtasa

nounB2formal
Use 'tasa' for an administrative or government charge, typically for a specific official service or permit.
A person handing a gold coin to a clerk at a wooden counter.

Examples

Debes pagar una tasa para renovar el pasaporte.

You must pay a fee to renew your passport.

Las tasas aeroportuarias están incluidas en el billete.

The airport taxes are included in the ticket.

Tasa vs. Impuesto

A 'tasa' is usually a fee you pay in exchange for a specific service (like getting a license), while an 'impuesto' is a general tax that goes to the government for everything.

General Payment vs. Specific Service Fee

Learners often confuse 'pago' (general payment) with words like 'tarifa' or 'cuota' (specific types of fees). Remember, 'pago' is the broadest term for any money owed, while the others specify the *kind* of fee.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.