ganar
/ɡaˈnaɾ/
To earn in Spanish is ganar.
The verb ganar is used to express receiving money for working. The most standard way to say 'to earn money' is the phrase ganar dinero.
Meaning: intransitive: receive money for working (verb)
Which one should you use?
While ganar means to earn money, it is also used to mean 'to win' a game or a prize.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the verb cobrar is frequently used to express the idea of earning.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular preterite form of ganar is ganó, which translates to 'he/she earned'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡaˈnaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word ganar can be used to describe the act of gaining weight, though engordar is more common.
- If you say you 'won' a person's heart, you would use ganarse el corazón of that person, treating affection as something earned through effort.
- The verb ganar comes from the Early Medieval Latin word ganāre.
Examples in context
- Quiero ganar más dinero.I want to earn more money.This sentence uses ganar to express a desire to earn more money.Tatoeba #6669442 by arh, translation #6673164 by CK
- Ellos querían ganar dinero.They wanted to earn money.This sentence uses ganar to express what they wanted to earn.Tatoeba #1387637 by marcelostockle, translation #802184 by Source_VOA
- Su meta no es ganar dinero.His goal is to not earn money.This sentence uses ganar to describe a goal regarding not earning money.Tatoeba #2227560 by marcelostockle, translation #2137827 by FeuDRenais2
- gané mucho dinero trabajando arduamenteI earned a lot of money by working hard.
- percibió una bonificación por su excelente desempeñoHe/she earned a bonus for their excellent performance.
- obtuvo un premio por su trabajo arduoHe/she earned a prize for their hard work.
- adquirió experiencia trabajando en diferentes proyectosHe/she earned experience by working on different projects.
- chambeo duro para ganarme la vidaI work hard to earn a living.
- cobró un salario mensual por su trabajoHe/she earned a monthly salary for their work.
- labora duro para ganarse la vidaHe/she works hard to earn a living.
- Tú ganas mucho dineroYou earn a lot of money.
- Él/Ella gana mucho dineroHe/She earns a lot of money.
- ganar experienciaTo earn experience
- ganar reconocimientoTo earn recognition
- obtuvo su título universitarioHe/she earned their university degree.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are discussing their jobs at a coffee shop.
- Daniel¿Lograste ganar suficiente dinero este mes?Did you manage to earn enough money this month?
- MaríaSí, logré ganar lo suficiente para mis gastos.Yes, I managed to earn enough for my expenses.
- DanielMe alegro mucho por ti, María.I am very happy for you, María.
- MaríaGracias, Daniel, espero ganar más el próximo mes.Thanks, Daniel, I hope to earn more next month.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “earn” translations and entries ganar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ganar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
