Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tasa de interés | /tasa de inteɾes/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| interés | /inteˈɾes/ | masculine |
| tipo de interés | /tipo de inteɾes/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| tipo | /ˈtipo/ | masculine |
In Spanish, several terms can describe the percentage of money charged for its use per some period. While interés refers to the interest itself, more specific phrases like tasa de interés or tipo de interés are used to denote the specific rate.
What does it mean word for word?
The word tipo literally means 'type' or 'kind', but in a financial context, it is used to mean 'rate'.
Which one should you use?
tasa de interés is often used in formal economic or technical contexts to refer to the rate itself, whereas tipo de interés is a very common way to express interest rate in everyday banking and financial contexts. The word interés is the noun for 'interest'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term tipo de interés is used for interest rate.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, you pluralize the head noun rather than the word interés. For example, use tasas de interés for interest rates and tipos de interés for interest rates.
How do you pronounce it?
/tasa de inteɾes/
Did you know?
- The word tipo used to mean 'rate' actually comes from the Greek word for 'a mark' or 'a stamp' produced by 'poking'.
Examples in context
- Las tasas de interés van a aumentar progresivamente.Gradually the interest rate will increase.This sentence shows how to use the plural form tasas de interés to describe increasing rates.Tatoeba #2112236 by Juankarlos, translation #325332 by CM
- El banco me ofreció una tasa de interés del 3% para mi préstamo hipotecario.The bank offered me an interest rate of 3% for my mortgage loan.
- La tasa de interés del banco es muy alta.The bank's interest rate is very high.
- Debemos revisar la tasa de interés del préstamo.We must check the interest rate of the loan.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are discussing their finances at home.
- Javier¿Sabes cuál es la tasa de interés actual?Do you know what the current interest rate is?
- LucíaNo, pero creo que es bastante baja.No, but I think it is quite low.
- JavierVoy a buscar la tasa de interés en internet.I am going to look up the interest rate on the internet.
- LucíaGracias, Javier, eso sería de mucha ayuda.Thanks, Javier, that would be very helpful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “interest rate” translations and entries tasa de interés, interés, tipo de interés, tipo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, interés, tasa, tipo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
