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How to Say "i earn" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “i earn” is “gano” — use 'gano' when talking about the general amount of money you make or your salary, especially in relation to work performed or potential earnings.

English → Spanish

gano

GAH-nohˈɡa.no

verbA2general
Use 'gano' when talking about the general amount of money you make or your salary, especially in relation to work performed or potential earnings.
A person happily counting a stack of money bills on a desk.

Examples

¿Cuánto gano si trabajo horas extras?

How much do I earn if I work overtime?

Gano un buen sueldo en mi nuevo trabajo.

I earn a good salary in my new job.

Direct Object

When talking about earning money, the money itself is the direct object (what receives the action). For example: 'Gano [el dinero]' (I earn [the money]).

cobro

KOH-brohˈko.βɾo

verbA1general
Use 'cobro' specifically when referring to the act of receiving a salary or payment for services rendered.
A shopkeeper handing a small paper invoice to a customer in a bakery.

Examples

Yo cobro cincuenta euros por hora.

I charge fifty euros per hour.

Normalmente cobro mi sueldo los viernes.

I usually get my salary on Fridays.

Si voy al banco ahora, cobro el cheque de inmediato.

If I go to the bank now, I cash the check immediately.

The Personal 'a'

When you are charging a person (not just an item), you must add 'a' after the verb. For example: 'Cobro a los clientes' (I charge the customers).

Present Tense 'o' Ending

In Spanish, most action words that end in 'o' are talking about what 'I' am doing right now.

Cobro vs. Cobra

Mistake: “La cobro es peligrosa.”

Correction: La cobra es peligrosa.

Cobro vs. Gano

Learners often confuse 'cobro' and 'gano' by using them interchangeably. Remember that 'cobro' focuses on the act of receiving payment, while 'gano' refers to the overall amount earned.

Related Translations

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