How to Say “Raise” in Spanish

Whether you’re planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country, engaging in conversation with Spanish-speaking friends, or learning the language for personal or professional growth, it’s essential to expand your vocabulary. In this guide, we will explore the various ways to say “raise” in Spanish, both formally and informally, and provide you with plenty of tips and examples to enhance your understanding. Let’s get started!

Formal Ways to Say “Raise”

If you are in a formal setting or need to use a more polite tone, here are some Spanish equivalents for the English term “raise”:

1. Aumento – This is the most common translation for “raise” and is widely used in professional contexts. For example:
   

   “Después de un año de trabajo dedicado, recibí un aumento en mi sueldo.” (After a year of dedicated work, I received a raise in my salary.)

2. Incremento – It is often used interchangeably with “aumento” and conveys the idea of an increase. For instance:
   

   “La empresa anunció un incremento salarial para los empleados.” (The company announced a salary raise for the employees.)

3. Mejora salarial – This phrase translates to “salary improvement” and can be used to refer to a raise. Here’s an example:
   

   “El trabajo arduo y los logros alcanzados llevaron a una mejora salarial.” (Hard work and achieved goals led to a raise.)

Informal Ways to Say “Raise”

When conversing casually with friends or colleagues, you can utilize these more colloquial expressions to talk about a raise:

1. Subida – This noun translates to “increase” or “rise” and works well in informal situations. An example sentence:
   

   “¡Genial! Me dieron una subida de sueldo en el trabajo.” (Great! I got a raise at work.)

2. Aumentillo – This diminutive form of “aumento” adds an affectionate tone and can be used among friends. For instance:
   

   “Mi jefe me dio un aumentillo, pero al menos es algo.” (My boss gave me a little raise, but at least it’s something.)

3. Mejoría – Although primarily translated as “improvement,” it is commonly used informally to refer to a raise. Here’s an example:
   

   “Juan está contento con la mejoría que obtuvo en su salario.” (Juan is happy with the raise he received in his salary.)

Regional Variations

While the Spanish equivalents mentioned above are widely understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world, it’s worth noting that regional variations can exist. Here are a couple of examples:

• In some Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Argentina, people might use the term aumento de sueldo or simply aumento to specifically emphasize a salary raise.
• In certain parts of Spain, you may come across the term paga extra, which refers to an additional annual payment that could be equivalent to a raise for some workers.

Tips for Using These Phrases

When using these phrases to talk about a raise, consider the following tips:

1. Context is key: Pay attention to the setting and the level of formality required. Choose the appropriate term based on the situation.
2. Use the correct verb: When discussing receiving a raise, it is common to use verbs like “recibir” (to receive) or “obtener” (to obtain).
3. Don’t forget about adjectives: To describe the raise, you can add adjectives like “generoso/a” (generous), “importante” (important), or “significativo/a” (significant).
4. Combine phrases for clarity: You can combine phrases to provide additional context. For example: “Me dieron un aumento salarial importante en mi nuevo trabajo.” (I received a significant salary raise in my new job.)

Remember, expanding your vocabulary is a gradual process, but it’s an exciting journey toward mastering a new language. Practice using these phrases in different contexts, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes – they are essential for learning and improving! Happy language learning!