Inklingo

How to Say "to spend" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to spend” is “gastar” — use 'gastar' specifically when referring to spending money or consuming resources like fuel or electricity.

English → Spanish

gastar

gahs-TAHRɡasˈtaɾ

verbA1general
Use 'gastar' specifically when referring to spending money or consuming resources like fuel or electricity.
A cartoon hand placing several shiny gold coins into a small, open wallet, illustrating the act of spending money.

Examples

¿Cuánto gastaste en el supermercado?

How much did you spend at the supermarket?

No me gusta gastar mucho dinero en ropa.

I don't like spending a lot of money on clothes.

Direct Object Needed

When using 'gastar' for money, you almost always need to specify what you are spending (dinero, euros, etc.), even if it seems obvious.

Confusing 'Gastar' and 'Pasar'

Mistake: “Quiero gastar tiempo contigo. (I want to spend time with you.)”

Correction: Quiero pasar tiempo contigo. ('Gastar' is for money or resources you use up; 'pasar' is for time spent.)

pasar

pa-sarpaˈsaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'pasar' when talking about how you spend a period of time, such as a vacation, a weekend, or holidays.
Two cheerful friends building a colorful sandcastle on a sunny beach.

Examples

Me encanta pasar tiempo con mis amigos.

I love spending time with my friends.

Pasamos todo el fin de semana en la playa.

We spent the whole weekend at the beach.

¿Pasaste un buen día?

Did you have a good day?

'Pasar' vs. 'Gastar' for Time

Mistake: “Quiero gastar tiempo contigo.”

Correction: Use 'pasar' for spending time: 'Quiero pasar tiempo contigo.' The verb 'gastar' is for spending money or using up resources, not time.

dedicar

deh-dee-kardeðiˈkaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'dedicar' when you are intentionally allocating your time or resources to a specific activity or purpose.
A person carefully tending to a small garden with a watering can and hand tools.

Examples

Dedico dos horas al día a estudiar español.

I dedicate two hours a day to studying Spanish.

Tienes que dedicar más tiempo a tus amigos.

You need to spend more time with your friends.

El gobierno decidió dedicar más dinero a la salud pública.

The government decided to devote more money to public health.

The 'A' Connection

When you dedicate something to a person or an activity, you must always use the word 'a' before the recipient or the task. For example: 'Dedico tiempo a mi perro'.

Spelling Change in the Past

In the 'I' form of the past tense (Preterite), the 'c' changes to 'qu' (dediqué) to keep the hard 'k' sound. Without this change, it would sound like 'dedis-ay'.

Wrong Preposition

Mistake: “Dedico tiempo con mi hobby.”

Correction: Dedico tiempo a mi hobby. In Spanish, you dedicate things 'to' (a) something, not 'with' (con) it.

tomarse

toh-MAHR-sehtoˈmaɾse

verbA2general
Use 'tomarse' to indicate taking a specific amount of time to complete a task or to take a break.
A person relaxing in a comfortable armchair with their eyes closed.

Examples

Necesito tomarme un descanso.

I need to take a break.

Se tomaron su tiempo para decidir.

They took their time to decide.

Spending Time

When you use 'tomarse' with time, it means you are allowing yourself a certain amount of time for a specific purpose.

emplear

em-pleh-AHRem.ple.ˈaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'emplear' when referring to the utilization of time, energy, or resources, often in a more formal or technical context.
A person using a wooden spoon to stir a large pot of soup.

Examples

Debes emplear las herramientas adecuadas para arreglar la silla.

You should use the right tools to fix the chair.

Empleamos mucho tiempo en este proyecto.

We spent a lot of time on this project.

Es necesario emplear un lenguaje claro en la reunión.

It is necessary to use clear language in the meeting.

Use with Time

Unlike English where you 'spend' time, in Spanish you can 'employ' time to sound more productive or formal.

Formal Tone

Use 'emplear' instead of 'usar' when you want to sound a bit more professional or precise.

Confusing 'Gastar' and 'Emplear'

Mistake: “Gasto mucho tiempo en estudiar.”

Correction: Empleo mucho tiempo en estudiar. (Gastar implies wasting; emplear implies a purposeful use).

Money vs. Time

The most common confusion is between 'gastar' and verbs for spending time. Remember: 'gastar' is almost exclusively for money. For time, use 'pasar' for general periods, 'dedicar' for dedicated effort, or 'tomarse' for breaks/tasks.

Related Translations

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