agregar una propina
/aɡɾeɡaɾ una pɾopina/from spelling rules
To add a tip in Spanish is agregar una propina.
This phrase is used to express the act of giving an extra amount of money to a service worker as a reward for their service. While agregar una propina is grammatically correct, the more common way to express the act of tipping in a restaurant or service setting is dejar propina (to leave a tip). In many Spanish-speaking countries, la propina is often treated as an uncountable concept in casual speech, so you might hear dejar propina instead of dejar una propina.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb agregar (to add) and the noun phrase una propina (a tip).
Which one should you use?
The phrase agregar una propina literally means to add a tip. However, the verb dar (to give) is a very common alternative to agregar (to add) when talking about tipping and dejar propina (to leave a tip) is the more common way to express the act of tipping in a restaurant or service setting.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia, service charges may already be included in the bill.
How do you pronounce it?
/aɡɾeɡaɾ una pɾopina/
Did you know?
- The word propina comes from the Latin propinō, which meant to offer a drink or a toast.
- To ensure a server receives your reward directly, it is a common custom in many Spanish-speaking cultures to leave the tip in cash, even if you paid the main bill with a credit card.
- While propina means 'tip' today, it once referred to a fee paid to public officials in Spain for performing their duties.
Examples in context
- No olvides agregar una propina al pagar.Don't forget to add a tip when paying.
- ¿Puedo agregar una propina con la tarjeta?Can I add a tip with the card?
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are finishing a meal at a restaurant.
- LucíaEl servicio fue excelente hoy.The service was excellent today.
- JavierTienes razón, vamos a agregar una propina.You are right, let's add a tip.
- Lucía¿Quieres que yo lo haga?Do you want me to do it?
- JavierNo, yo me encargo de la cuenta.No, I'll take care of the bill.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries agregar, propina, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
