Inklingo

How to Say "for free" in Spanish

English → Spanish

gratis

GRAH-teesˈɡɾatis

AdverbA1idiomatic
Use 'gratis' when you want to say that something has no cost, functioning as an adverb modifying the verb or adjective describing the item or service.
A stylized illustration of one hand offering a bright red balloon to another empty, waiting hand, symbolizing receiving something without needing to pay.

Examples

La entrada al museo es gratis los domingos.

Entrance to the museum is free on Sundays.

Si compras dos, te dan la tercera unidad totalmente gratis.

If you buy two, they give you the third unit completely free.

Con el servicio premium, el envío es gratis.

With the premium service, shipping is free.

Always Unchanging

'Gratis' never changes its form. It always stays 'gratis' regardless of whether the thing you got is masculine, feminine, singular, or plural. (It is 'invariable').

Adverb vs. Adjective

While it describes a noun (like 'free delivery'), 'gratis' functions as an adverb, describing the manner of the transaction, which is why it doesn't need to match the noun.

Adding Plural Endings

Mistake: “Las bebidas son gratises.”

Correction: Las bebidas son gratis. (Never add an -s, even if you are talking about many things.)

balde

BAHL-dehˈbalde

NounA1idiomatic
Use 'de balde' as a set phrase to mean 'for free,' specifically when referring to something that is offered or given away without charge. Note that 'balde' itself means 'bucket'.
A bright blue metal bucket with a silver handle sitting on a wooden floor.

Examples

Me dieron el postre de balde.

They gave me the dessert for free.

El niño lleva un balde azul para recoger arena en la playa.

The boy is carrying a blue bucket to collect sand at the beach.

Todo mi esfuerzo fue en balde; no logré convencerlo.

All my effort was in vain; I didn't manage to convince him.

En esta tienda, si compras dos camisas, la tercera te sale de balde.

In this store, if you buy two shirts, the third one is for free.

Bucket vs. Free vs. Vain

When 'balde' stands alone, it's a bucket. But when you add 'de' or 'en' before it, the meaning changes completely to 'for free' or 'in vain'.

The 'De' and 'En' rule

To say something is free, use 'de balde'. To say something was a waste of time, use 'en balde'. These phrases never change their ending, even if the thing you are talking about is plural.

Using 'balde' alone for 'free'

Mistake: “La entrada es balde.”

Correction: La entrada es de balde (or 'gratis'). You must use 'de' to give it the meaning of 'free of charge'.

Confusing 'gratis' and 'de balde'

The most common mistake is using 'balde' alone to mean 'for free' or trying to use 'gratis' as a noun. Remember that 'gratis' works as an adverb, and 'de balde' is the set phrase meaning 'for free', while 'balde' by itself means 'bucket'.

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