Inklingo

How to Say "subscription" in Spanish

English → Spanish

abono

/ah-BOH-noh//aˈβono/

nounA2general
Use 'abono' when referring to a recurring pass or access for services like transportation or cultural venues.
A colorful plastic card with a stadium icon and a lanyard on a simple background.

Examples

Compré un abono mensual para la piscina.

I bought a monthly pass for the swimming pool.

He comprado un abono para el metro este mes.

I bought a metro pass for this month.

Tengo un abono de temporada para ver al Real Madrid.

I have a season ticket to watch Real Madrid.

El abono del teatro incluye seis funciones.

The theater subscription includes six performances.

Always Masculine

The word 'abono' is always masculine ('el abono'), even if it belongs to a woman or refers to a feminine noun like 'la suscripción'.

Don't use for single trips

Mistake: “Voy a comprar un abono para este viaje único.”

Correction: Voy a comprar un billete para este viaje único. An 'abono' is for multiple trips or a period of time, not just one.

cuota

/KWOH-tah//ˈkwota/

nounA2general
Use 'cuota' when specifically talking about the recurring payment or fee for a service like a gym or a subscription box.
A colorful membership card and a shiny gold coin on a simple background.

Examples

La cuota de suscripción a la revista es de 50 euros al año.

The subscription fee for the magazine is 50 euros per year.

La cuota del gimnasio ha subido este mes.

The gym fee went up this month.

Tengo que pagar la cuota de socio del club.

I have to pay the club membership dues.

Si no pagas la cuota, perderás el acceso al servicio.

If you don't pay the subscription, you will lose access to the service.

Always Feminine

The word is feminine, so you should always use 'la' or 'una' with it, even if the person paying is a man.

Cuota vs. Pago

Mistake: “Hice la cuota del gimnasio.”

Correction: Hice el pago de la cuota del gimnasio.

sub

/soob//suβ/

nounB1informal
Use 'sub' as informal slang, primarily in online contexts like streaming or social media, to refer to a subscriber or the act of subscribing.
A friendly person holding up a colorful membership card with a star on it.

Examples

Muchos espectadores apoyan a sus streamers favoritos con un sub.

Many viewers support their favorite streamers with a sub.

¡Gracias por ese sub, bienvenido al canal!

Thanks for that sub, welcome to the channel!

Ella es una sub muy activa en mi comunidad.

She is a very active sub in my community.

Se me olvidó renovar mi sub este mes.

I forgot to renew my sub this month.

Gender flexibility

When referring to a person, use 'el sub' for a male and 'la sub' for a female. When referring to the subscription itself, it is usually 'el sub'.

Shortening words

This is a 'clipping' where a long word like 'subscripción' is cut down for speed, exactly like in English.

Confusing with 'Subir'

Mistake: “Using 'sub' as a shortcut for the verb 'to go up'.”

Correction: 'Sub' is only used as a noun for people or things; for the action of going up, you must use 'subir'.

Abono vs. Cuota

Learners often confuse 'abono' and 'cuota' because both relate to recurring services. Remember that 'abono' emphasizes the access or pass itself (like a transit pass), while 'cuota' focuses on the monetary payment or fee.

Related Translations

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