Inklingo

How to Say "to earn" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to earn” is “ganar” — use this word when referring to earning money, a salary, or a living through employment.

ganar🔊A2

Use this word when referring to earning money, a salary, or a living through employment.

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ganarse🔊A2

Use this reflexive form to indicate earning money or a living specifically through your own effort and work.

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sacar🔊A2

Use this verb when talking about obtaining or achieving a specific grade or mark on an exam or assignment.

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ingresar🔊B1

This term is used for businesses or individuals depositing money, signifying revenue or income received.

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cosechar🔊B2

Use this word metaphorically to describe achieving or reaping the rewards of hard work, such as respect or success.

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obtener🔊C1

This is the appropriate verb for formally acquiring or achieving something significant, like a degree, title, or qualification.

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English → Spanish

ganar

gah-NARɡaˈnaɾ

verbA2general
Use this word when referring to earning money, a salary, or a living through employment.
A smiling character wearing a simple work apron, holding a large stack of colorful paper currency.

Examples

¿Cuánto ganas al mes?

How much do you earn per month?

Trabajo mucho para ganar dinero para mi familia.

I work a lot to earn money for my family.

Es importante saber cómo ganarse la vida.

It's important to know how to earn a living.

Using 'Hacer' for 'To Make Money'

Mistake: “En mi trabajo, yo hago mucho dinero.”

Correction: En mi trabajo, yo gano mucho dinero. In Spanish, you 'win' or 'earn' money, you don't 'make' it like you do in English.

ganarse

gah-NAHR-sehɡaˈnaɾse

verbA2general
Use this reflexive form to indicate earning money or a living specifically through your own effort and work.
A baker in a white apron holding a fresh loaf of bread in a bakery.

Examples

Ella se gana la vida como diseñadora gráfica.

She earns a living as a graphic designer.

Es difícil ganarse el pan en estos tiempos.

It's hard to put food on the table (earn bread) these days.

Why the 'se'?

Using 'se' makes the action personal. It implies that you are earning something specifically for your own benefit or through your own personal effort.

Don't forget the pronoun

Mistake: “Gano la vida en Madrid.”

Correction: Me gano la vida en Madrid. (You need 'me' because the phrase 'earn a living' almost always uses this reflexive form in Spanish.)

sacar

sah-KARsaˈkaɾ

verbA2general
Use this verb when talking about obtaining or achieving a specific grade or mark on an exam or assignment.
A smiling student holding up a test paper with a large, positive checkmark and star drawn on it, representing getting a good grade.

Examples

Saqué una buena nota en el examen.

I got a good grade on the exam.

Tenemos que sacar las entradas para el concierto.

We have to get the tickets for the concert.

Mi hermano sacó su licencia de conducir la semana pasada.

My brother got his driver's license last week.

ingresar

een-greh-sahriŋɡɾeˈsaɾ

verbB1formal
This term is used for businesses or individuals depositing money, signifying revenue or income received.
A hand placing a stack of gold coins into a small ceramic piggy bank.

Examples

Tengo que ir al banco a ingresar este dinero.

I have to go to the bank to deposit this money.

La empresa ingresó mucho dinero el año pasado.

The company earned a lot of money last year.

El sueldo se ingresa automáticamente cada mes.

The salary is paid in automatically every month.

Money transfers

When talking about bank accounts, 'ingresar' often acts on the money itself. 'Ingresar 50 euros' means to put those 50 euros in.

Using 'depositar' vs 'ingresar'

Mistake: “Thinking 'depositar' is the only way to say deposit.”

Correction: In Spain, 'ingresar' is much more common than 'depositar' for daily banking.

cosechar

ko-seh-CHARkoseˈt͡ʃaɾ

verbB2general
Use this word metaphorically to describe achieving or reaping the rewards of hard work, such as respect or success.
A person smiling while holding a large, shiny golden trophy in a bright field.

Examples

Ella ha cosechado muchos éxitos en su carrera profesional.

She has achieved many successes in her professional career.

Su nueva película cosechó muy buenas críticas.

His new movie earned very good reviews.

Cosecharás lo que siembres.

You will reap what you sow.

Metaphorical Meaning

Just like in English, agricultural words are often used to talk about the 'results' of our hard work.

Positive vs. Negative

Mistake: “Thinking 'cosechar' is only for good things.”

Correction: You can 'cosechar' good things (success) or bad things (criticism/hatred), depending on what you 'planted' (did) before.

obtener

ob-teh-NEHRoβ.teˈneɾ

verbC1formal
This is the appropriate verb for formally acquiring or achieving something significant, like a degree, title, or qualification.
A small figure standing triumphantly on the peak of a small, grassy hill, raising both arms in a gesture of success, symbolizing achievement.

Examples

Después de años de estudio, por fin obtuvo su doctorado.

After years of study, he finally achieved his doctorate.

El equipo necesita obtener una victoria para clasificar.

The team needs to secure a victory to qualify.

Ganar vs. Ganarse for Earning Money

Learners often confuse 'ganar' and 'ganarse' when talking about earning money. Use 'ganar' for the general act of earning (How much do you earn?), and 'ganarse' when emphasizing earning a living through effort (She earns a living as...). The reflexive 'se' highlights personal effort.

Related Translations

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