regatear
/reɡateˈaɾ/
The English phrase "nickel and dime" can be translated into Spanish as regatear.
In different contexts, you may also use informal phrases to describe a person or business that charges excessively for small, insignificant or trivial things.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe the ongoing action of bargaining or haggling, use the gerund form regateando. If you want to say "I haggled" in the past tense, use the first-person singular preterite regateé. For the future tense "you will haggle", use regatearás.
How do you pronounce it?
/reɡateˈaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, regatear is not seen as being cheap but as a vital social ritual that establishes a relationship and rapport between the buyer and the seller.
- The word regatear shares a common root with the word regata, which in Spanish refers to a yacht race or a sailing competition.
- In professional settings, if a company is 'nickel and diming' you with hidden fees, a Spaniard might use the word estafar to imply they are being cheated.
Examples in context
- La empresa de telecomunicaciones cobra pequeñas sumas por cada detalle en su plan de servicios.The telecommunication company charges small amounts for each detail in its service plan.
- No puedo creer que el gimnasio cobre por cualquier tontería, como usar las toallas o tomar agua.I can't believe the gym charges for any nonsense, like using towels or drinking water.
- Siempre me cobran por todo y por nada en ese restaurante, hasta por la salsa extra.They always nickel and dime me at that restaurant, even for extra sauce.
- No me gusta regatear por cada centavo.I don't like to haggle over every cent.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are at an outdoor street market.
- LucíaEse vestido es muy barato, no hace falta regatear.That dress is very cheap, there is no need to haggle.
- DanielPero quiero intentar regatear un poco más.But I want to try to haggle a bit more.
- LucíaDaniel, es una pérdida de tiempo.Daniel, it is a waste of time.
- DanielLo sé, pero es mi costumbre.I know, but it is my habit.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry regatear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries regatear, CC BY-SA 4.0.
