Inklingo

How to Say "ticket" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “ticket” is “boleto” — use 'boleto' for general tickets for events, travel (like bus or train), or lottery winnings.

boleto🔊A1

Use 'boleto' for general tickets for events, travel (like bus or train), or lottery winnings.

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entrada🔊A2

This word is specifically for tickets to events like movies, concerts, or theater performances.

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billete🔊A2

Use 'billete' primarily for travel tickets, such as for buses, trains, or airplanes.

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pasaje🔊A2

This term is used for travel tickets, particularly for journeys on buses, planes, or trains.

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pase🔊A2

Use 'pase' for access passes, like a boarding pass for a flight or a general pass for an event.

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localidad🔊B1

This refers to a reserved seat or spot for a show or performance, essentially a ticket for a specific place.

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multa🔊A2

This is not a ticket for entry or travel, but a fine or penalty, commonly for traffic or parking violations.

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factura🔊A1

In some regions, this can mean a receipt or proof of purchase, especially for tax purposes, rather than a ticket for entry.

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candidatura🔊C1

This refers to a slate of candidates for an election, not a ticket for an event or travel.

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English → Spanish

boleto

boh-LEH-tohboˈle.to

nounA1general
Use 'boleto' for general tickets for events, travel (like bus or train), or lottery winnings.
A colorful illustration depicting a single, simple rectangular paper ticket stub, distinctively showing a perforated edge.

Examples

¿Tienes tu boleto para el concierto?

Do you have your ticket for the concert?

Compré un boleto de ida y vuelta para ir a la playa.

I bought a round-trip ticket to go to the beach.

El boleto ganador fue el número 457.

The winning lottery ticket was number 457.

Masculine Noun Rule

Remember that 'boleto' is always masculine, so you must use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) with it: 'El boleto es caro' (The ticket is expensive).

Mixing up 'boleto' and 'billete'

Mistake: “Using 'boleto' when talking about paper money in Spain.”

Correction: In Spain, use 'billete' for paper money (banknote). Use 'boleto' primarily for tickets in Mexico and Central America, and sometimes for transport tickets in Spain, though 'billete' is also very common there.

entrada

en-TRAH-dahenˈtɾaða

nounA2general
This word is specifically for tickets to events like movies, concerts, or theater performances.
A single, bright red rectangular event ticket with a perforated edge, held by a person's thumb and forefinger.

Examples

¿Tienes ya tus entradas para el cine?

Do you already have your tickets for the movies?

La entrada al parque cuesta diez euros.

Admission to the park costs ten euros.

billete

bee-YEH-tehbiˈʎe.te

nounA2general
Use 'billete' primarily for travel tickets, such as for buses, trains, or airplanes.
A small, rectangular white travel ticket with a simple colored stripe and a perforated edge, suggesting a transit pass.

Examples

Necesito comprar un billete de tren a Madrid.

I need to buy a train ticket to Madrid.

Perdimos el avión porque no encontramos nuestros billetes.

We missed the plane because we couldn't find our tickets.

Compré un billete de lotería con la esperanza de ganar.

I bought a lottery ticket hoping to win.

Travel vs. Events

Use 'billete' mostly for major transport (planes, trains). For concerts or movies, you usually say 'entrada' or 'boleto' (especially in Latin America).

Using 'billete' for a movie ticket

Mistake: “Compré dos billetes para la película.”

Correction: Compré dos entradas/boletos para la película. ('Billete' sounds too formal for a quick event ticket.)

pasaje

pah-SAH-hehpaˈsa.xe

nounA2general
This term is used for travel tickets, particularly for journeys on buses, planes, or trains.
A colorful paper ticket stub, slightly torn, signifying a purchased fare for travel.

Examples

Necesito comprar un pasaje de ida y vuelta a la costa.

I need to buy a round-trip ticket to the coast.

El pasaje de metro es más caro ahora.

The subway fare is more expensive now.

Using 'Pasaje' for Events

Mistake: “Compré un pasaje para el concierto.”

Correction: Compré una entrada/un boleto para el concierto. ('Pasaje' is reserved for transport.)

pase

PAH-sehˈpa.se

nounA2general
Use 'pase' for access passes, like a boarding pass for a flight or a general pass for an event.
A colorful rectangular access pass or ticket granting entry to an event or location.

Examples

Necesito mi pase de abordar para subir al avión.

I need my boarding pass to get on the plane.

Compramos un pase de tres días para el parque de diversiones.

We bought a three-day pass for the amusement park.

El jugador de fútbol dio un pase perfecto a su compañero.

The soccer player made a perfect pass to his teammate.

Confusing `pase` with `paseo`

Mistake: “Quiero comprar un paseo para el concierto.”

Correction: Quiero comprar un pase para el concierto. 'Pase' is the ticket or permit itself. 'Paseo' is the activity of going for a walk or a stroll.

localidad

lo-kah-lee-DAHDloka.liˈðað

nounB1general
This refers to a reserved seat or spot for a show or performance, essentially a ticket for a specific place.
A single red velvet theater seat standing alone in a spotlight.

Examples

¿Quedan localidades para el concierto de mañana?

Are there any seats/tickets left for tomorrow's concert?

Compré dos localidades en la fila cinco.

I bought two seats in row five.

El teatro agotó todas sus localidades en una hora.

The theater sold out all its seats in an hour.

Plural for Tickets

When you want to buy tickets for a group, you usually use the plural form 'localidades'.

Ticket vs. Seat

Mistake: “Using 'silla' (chair) to talk about a theater booking.”

Correction: Say 'localidad' or 'asiento' when referring to your reserved spot at a show, not 'silla'.

multa

MULL-tahˈmulta

nounA2general
This is not a ticket for entry or travel, but a fine or penalty, commonly for traffic or parking violations.
A small pile of currency (bills and coins) sitting on a surface, with a large, prominent red official seal pressed directly onto the top bill, symbolizing a financial penalty.

Examples

Recibí una multa por aparcar en zona prohibida.

I received a fine for parking in a prohibited area.

La multa por exceso de velocidad fue de 200 euros.

The fine for speeding was 200 euros.

Si devuelves el libro tarde, tendrás que pagar una multa a la biblioteca.

If you return the book late, you will have to pay a fine to the library.

Gender is Feminine

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

Using 'Dar' instead of 'Poner'

Mistake: “Me dieron una multa.”

Correction: Me pusieron una multa. (In Spanish, authorities 'put' or 'place' a fine on you, using the verb 'poner', not 'dar' (to give)).

factura

fak-TOO-rafakˈtu.ɾa

nounA1formal
In some regions, this can mean a receipt or proof of purchase, especially for tax purposes, rather than a ticket for entry.
A stylized white paper document, folded neatly, lying next to a small stack of shiny gold coins, symbolizing payment due.

Examples

¿Podría enviarme la factura por correo electrónico?

Could you send me the invoice by email?

Tenemos que pagar la factura de la luz antes del viernes.

We have to pay the electricity bill before Friday.

El restaurante olvidó incluir la propina en la factura.

The restaurant forgot to include the tip on the bill.

Always Feminine

Since 'factura' ends in '-a' and refers to a thing, it is always feminine. Remember to use 'la' or 'una' before it.

Invoice vs. Receipt

Mistake: “Using 'factura' when you mean 'receipt' after paying.”

Correction: 'Factura' is the request for payment. 'Recibo' is the document proving you already paid.

candidatura

kan-dee-dah-TOO-rahkandiðaˈtuɾa

nounC1political
This refers to a slate of candidates for an election, not a ticket for an event or travel.
A group of diverse people standing together in a row, representing a list or slate of candidates.

Examples

Votaremos por la candidatura completa del partido.

We will vote for the party's entire slate of candidates.

Collective meaning

In this context, the word represents a whole group of people, but the word itself remains singular.

Travel vs. Event Tickets

The most common confusion is between 'billete', 'boleto', and 'entrada'. Remember that 'billete' and 'boleto' are often used for travel, while 'entrada' is almost exclusively for events like movies or concerts. 'Boleto' can cover both, making it a versatile but sometimes less specific choice.

Related Translations

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