Inklingo

How to Say "interest" in Spanish

English → Spanish

interés

nounA1general
Use 'interés' when referring to general curiosity, attention, or a desire to know or learn something.

Examples

¿Tienes interés en aprender a bailar salsa?

Do you have any interest in learning to dance salsa?

intereses

in-te-RE-sesin.teˈɾe.ses

nounB1financial
Use 'intereses' specifically when discussing financial or monetary return on loans, investments, or the cost of borrowing money.
A small stack of gold coins with a stylized green sprout growing out of the top, symbolizing financial growth or monetary return.

Examples

El banco cobra intereses muy altos por los préstamos hipotecarios.

The bank charges very high interest for mortgage loans.

Ganamos intereses en la cuenta de ahorros cada mes.

We earn interest on the savings account every month.

Financial Plural

In Spanish, the word 'intereses' is almost always plural when referring to money earned or owed, even though in English you might say 'the interest rate' (singular).

Using 'Interés' for Money

Mistake: “Pagué mucho interés al banco.”

Correction: Pagué muchos intereses al banco. (Use the plural form 'intereses' when discussing the monetary amount.)

afición

nounA2general
Use 'afición' to describe a strong liking, hobby, or passion for an activity.

Examples

Mi gran afición es la fotografía de paisajes.

My great hobby is landscape photography.

Interés vs. Intereses

The most common mistake is using the singular 'interés' when you mean the plural 'intereses' for financial contexts. Remember, 'intereses' (plural) is for money earned or paid on loans/investments, while 'interés' (singular) is for curiosity or attention.

Related Translations

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