Inklingo

How to Say "stake" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “stake” is “apuesta” — use 'apuesta' when referring to the act of betting or the money wagered in a game or bet.

English → Spanish

apuesta

ah-PWEH-stahaˈpwesta

nounA2general
Use 'apuesta' when referring to the act of betting or the money wagered in a game or bet.
Two cartoon hands shaking firmly above a small pile of golden coins, symbolizing a completed bet or wager.

Examples

¿Quién ganó la apuesta en el partido de anoche?

Who won the bet in last night's game?

Hicimos una apuesta de cinco dólares.

We made a five-dollar wager.

Perdí la apuesta y ahora tengo que pagar la cena.

I lost the bet and now I have to pay for dinner.

Gender Check

Remember 'apuesta' is always feminine, so you must use 'la apuesta' or 'una apuesta' when referring to it.

estaca

es-TAH-kahesˈtaka

nounA2general
Choose 'estaca' for a physical stake, typically a pointed piece of wood or metal driven into the ground for support or marking.
A wooden stake driven into green grass.

Examples

Clavamos una estaca en el suelo para sujetar la tienda de campaña.

We hammered a stake into the ground to hold up the tent.

El jardinero puso estacas de madera para que los árboles crecieran rectos.

The gardener put in wooden stakes so the trees would grow straight.

Según las leyendas, se necesita una estaca para derrotar a un vampiro.

According to legends, a stake is needed to defeat a vampire.

Always Feminine

Even if you are using it to support a masculine object, the word 'estaca' is always feminine. Use 'la' and 'una' with it.

Action Verbs

In Spanish, we usually use the verb 'clavar' (to nail/drive) when talking about putting a stake into the ground.

Using 'el' by mistake

Mistake: “El estaca es largo.”

Correction: La estaca es larga. Because the word ends in 'a', it is feminine.

puesta

pwés-taˈpwesta

nounB1general
Use 'puesta' specifically for the amount of money that has been wagered or put down as a bet.
A stack of colorful poker chips placed in the center of a green gaming table, representing a wager.

Examples

Su primera puesta fue de cien euros.

His first bet was one hundred euros.

La gallina hizo su puesta en el nido.

The hen laid her eggs (her 'laying') in the nest.

interés

nounB2general
Use 'interés' when 'stake' refers to a personal involvement or concern in something, often for personal gain.

Examples

Actuó únicamente por su propio interés, sin pensar en los demás.

He acted solely out of self-interest, without thinking of others.

participación

nounB2business
Use 'participación' when 'stake' refers to a share of ownership in a company or enterprise.

Examples

Ella tiene una participación del diez por ciento en la empresa.

She has a ten percent stake in the company.

tutor

too-TOREtuˈtoɾ

nounC1gardening
Use 'tutor' when referring to a stake used to support a plant, helping it grow upright.
A small green plant tied to a straight wooden stick for support.

Examples

He puesto un tutor a los tomates para que crezcan rectos.

I've put a stake on the tomatoes so they grow straight.

Betting vs. Ownership Stake

Learners often confuse 'apuesta'/'puesta' (betting) with 'participación' (ownership). Remember that 'apuesta' and 'puesta' refer to money risked in a wager, while 'participación' signifies a share in a business. 'Interés' is a broader sense of personal involvement.

Related Translations

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