Inklingo

How to Say "stipend" in Spanish

English → Spanish

beca

BEH-kahˈbe.ka

nounB1general
Use 'beca' when referring to a payment made to support a student, typically for educational purposes, like a scholarship or grant.
A tall stack of shining gold coins resting beside a large, open academic textbook.

Examples

Recibí una beca para cubrir mis gastos universitarios.

I received a scholarship to cover my university expenses.

Solicité una beca para estudiar en el extranjero.

I applied for a scholarship to study abroad.

Si obtienes una beca completa, no tendrás que pagar la matrícula.

If you get a full scholarship, you won't have to pay tuition.

Ella vive de una beca de investigación del gobierno.

She lives off a government research grant.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'beca' is always feminine. You must use 'la beca' or 'una beca' (the scholarship, a scholarship).

Confusing 'Pedir' and 'Solicitar'

Mistake:Usar 'pedir una beca' (to ask for a scholarship) is less formal and common than 'solicitar una beca'.

Correction: Use 'solicitar una beca' (to formally apply) when discussing the application process.

asignación

nounB2general
Choose 'asignación' for a general, fixed, regular payment or allowance, often referring to allocated funds for a specific purpose or as a salary component.

Examples

La asignación mensual para gastos de representación es de 500 euros.

The monthly allowance for representation expenses is 500 euros.

dieta

dee-EH-tahˈdje.ta

nounB2business
Use 'dieta' specifically for a set daily payment provided to cover expenses during business travel, often referred to as a per diem.
A simple illustration showing a hand carefully placing a small stack of colorful currency bills and coins into a small, open leather travel pouch, symbolizing a daily allowance for expenses.

Examples

Los empleados en viaje de negocios reciben una dieta diaria para comidas y transporte.

Employees on business trips receive a daily allowance for meals and transportation.

La empresa ofrece una dieta de 75 dólares diarios para cubrir gastos de hotel y comida.

The company offers a per diem of 75 dollars daily to cover hotel and food expenses.

Los políticos reciben una dieta por asistir a las sesiones del parlamento.

Politicians receive a stipend for attending parliamentary sessions.

Beca vs. Asignación

Learners often confuse 'beca' and 'asignación'. Remember that 'beca' is almost always related to education or study, while 'asignación' is a broader term for any fixed allowance or allocated sum, not necessarily tied to learning.

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