Inklingo

How to Say "margin" in Spanish

English → Spanish

margen

MAHR-henˈmaɾxen

nounB1general
Use 'margen' when referring to the blank space on the edge of a page, like in a notebook or document.
A sheet of white paper with a central block of neat text lines, highlighting the wide, empty space (the margin) surrounding the text block.

Examples

Por favor, no escribas en el margen del examen.

Please, do not write in the margin of the exam.

Caminamos por el margen del río hasta encontrar un puente.

We walked along the bank of the river until we found a bridge.

El coche se detuvo en el margen de la carretera.

The car stopped on the side (verge) of the road.

La compañía debe aumentar su margen de beneficio para ser sostenible.

The company must increase its profit margin to be sustainable.

Gender Note

Even though 'margen' ends in '-en', it is a masculine noun ('el margen'). However, in older usage or specifically referring to a riverbank, you might occasionally hear 'la margen'.

Using the wrong gender

Mistake: “La margen es muy estrecha.”

Correction: El margen es muy estrecho. (Always use the masculine article 'el' for the paper margin or general edge.)

beneficio

beh-neh-FEE-syohbeneˈfiθjo

nounB1business
Use 'beneficio' specifically for the financial profit a company makes, often referred to as the profit margin.
A neat pile of overflowing gold coins and paper currency sitting on a wooden table, clearly illustrating financial gain.

Examples

La compañía espera un beneficio récord este trimestre.

The company expects a record profit this quarter.

Vendimos el coche con un pequeño beneficio.

We sold the car with a small gain.

margen

MAHR-henˈmaɾxen

nounC1business
Use 'margen' (often 'margen de beneficio') to denote the financial difference between the cost of a product or service and its selling price.
A sheet of white paper with a central block of neat text lines, highlighting the wide, empty space (the margin) surrounding the text block.

Examples

La compañía debe aumentar su margen de beneficio para ser sostenible.

The company must increase its profit margin to be sustainable.

Por favor, no escribas en el margen del examen.

Please, do not write in the margin of the exam.

Caminamos por el margen del río hasta encontrar un puente.

We walked along the bank of the river until we found a bridge.

El coche se detuvo en el margen de la carretera.

The car stopped on the side (verge) of the road.

Gender Note

Even though 'margen' ends in '-en', it is a masculine noun ('el margen'). However, in older usage or specifically referring to a riverbank, you might occasionally hear 'la margen'.

Using the wrong gender

Mistake: “La margen es muy estrecha.”

Correction: El margen es muy estrecho. (Always use the masculine article 'el' for the paper margin or general edge.)

tolerancia

toh-leh-rahn-syahtoleˈɾansja

nounB1general
Use 'tolerancia' to mean allowance, capacity to endure, or permissible variation, rather than a physical or financial margin.
A hiker carrying a heavy backpack while walking up a steep mountain path.

Examples

Tengo poca tolerancia al picante.

I have little tolerance for spicy food.

El paciente desarrolló tolerancia al medicamento.

The patient developed a tolerance to the medicine.

Esta máquina tiene un pequeño margen de tolerancia.

This machine has a small margin of tolerance (error).

Use with 'al' or 'a la'

When talking about physical tolerance, you usually link the word to the substance using 'al' (to the) or 'a la'.

Confusing with Patience

Mistake: “No tengo tolerancia con el tráfico.”

Correction: No tengo paciencia con el tráfico. Use 'paciencia' for annoyance and 'tolerancia' for physical endurance or deep social values.

Confusing Financial vs. Physical 'Margin'

Learners often confuse 'margen' (for paper edges) with 'beneficio' or 'margen de beneficio' (for financial profit). Remember, 'margen' can mean both, but financial contexts usually require the more specific 'beneficio' or 'margen de beneficio'.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.