Inklingo

How to Say "savings" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ahorros

ah-OHR-rohs/aˈorros/

nounA2general
Use 'ahorros' when referring to money that an individual or household has set aside, typically for future use or emergencies.
A pink ceramic piggy bank sitting on a wooden surface, receiving several shiny gold coins through the slot.

Examples

Necesito usar mis ahorros para pagar la universidad.

I need to use my savings to pay for university.

¿Tienes muchos ahorros en el banco?

Do you have a lot of savings in the bank?

Perdió todos sus ahorros en esa mala inversión.

He lost all his savings in that bad investment.

Always Plural

Even if you are referring to a single pool of money, 'ahorros' is always used in the plural form (like 'scissors' or 'trousers' in English). You must use 'los ahorros' or 'mis ahorros'.

Using the Singular

Mistake: “Tengo un buen ahorro para mi viaje.”

Correction: Tengo unos buenos ahorros para mi viaje. (The singular 'ahorro' refers to the act of saving, not the money itself.)

fondos

FOHN-dohs/ˈfondos/

nounA2general
Use 'fondos' when talking about money that has been collected or is available for a specific project, cause, or event, often implying a larger sum.
A clear glass jar filled to the brim with shiny gold coins, sitting on a plain surface, representing savings or funds.

Examples

Necesitamos recaudar fondos para el viaje escolar.

We need to raise funds for the school trip.

El banco aprobó los fondos para la nueva casa.

The bank approved the funds for the new house.

No tenemos fondos suficientes para pagar esto.

We don't have enough money to pay for this.

Always Plural for Money

When talking about money or financial resources, 'fondos' is always used in its plural form, even if you are referring to the general concept of money.

Using the Singular

Mistake: “Necesito fondo para el proyecto.”

Correction: Necesito fondos para el proyecto. (The singular 'fondo' usually means 'bottom' or 'background', not 'money'.)

economía

nounB2general
Use 'economía' (often in the plural, 'economías') to describe the act of saving money by being thrifty or by making a good deal, focusing on the efficiency of spending.

Examples

Hizo una gran economía al comprar la ropa de segunda mano.

She made a great saving/showed great thrift by buying the second-hand clothes.

Ahorros vs. Fondos vs. Economía

Learners often confuse 'ahorros' and 'fondos'. Remember that 'ahorros' is personal money saved, like your bank account savings. 'Fondos' refers to money gathered for a specific purpose, like fundraising, not necessarily your personal savings.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.