Inklingo

How to Say "to earn" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ganar

/gah-NAR//ɡaˈnaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'ganar' when referring to earning money, a salary, or a living in a general sense, like winning a competition or profit.
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-seh//ɡaˈnaɾse/

verbA2general
Use 'ganarse' specifically when talking about earning a living or sustaining oneself through work or effort.
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-KAR//saˈkaɾ/

verbA2informal
Use 'sacar' when referring to obtaining a specific result, most commonly a grade or score on a test or in a course.
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.

obtener

ob-teh-NEHR/oβ.teˈneɾ/

verbC1formal
Use 'obtener' for more formal achievements, such as earning a degree, title, or award after a period of effort or study.
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

The most common confusion is between 'ganar' and 'ganarse'. While 'ganar' is general for earning money, 'ganarse' emphasizes the effort and personal struggle involved in making a living.

Related Translations

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