ganar
/ɡaˈnaɾ/
To win in Spanish, you can use ganar or vencer.
Meaning: transitive: achieve victory in (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| ganar | /ɡaˈnaɾ/ |
| vencer | /benˈθeɾ/ /benˈseɾ/ |
The verb ganar is used when a victory involves receiving a specific reward, such as a prize, money or a game. It is also the standard way to say 'to earn' when talking about making money or earning a living. The verb vencer is used when the focus is on the act of defeating or conquering an opponent or an obstacle.
Which one should you use?
Use ganar when the victory results in receiving something, like a trophy or money. Use vencer when the emphasis is on the struggle of overcoming a competitor or a difficulty.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ganado is the past participle of ganar and is used to form compound tenses, such as the present perfect.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡaˈnaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word vencer comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *weyk-, which is the same ancestor that gave us the English word 'win'.
- The verb vencer is used in the phrase vencer el plazo, which means that a deadline has expired or 'won' its race against time.
- In some Latin American countries, ganar is used colloquially to mean 'to be faster than' or 'to beat someone to' a specific location.
Examples in context
- Tom va a ganar.Tom is going to win.This sentence shows the use of ganar for a future win.Tatoeba #2496366 by Shishir, translation #2276358 by CK
- Yo te dejo ganar.I let you win.This sentence uses ganar to describe letting someone win.Tatoeba #4603215 by Francisco_M, translation #2549730 by CK
- Puedes o no ganar.You may or may not win.This sentence demonstrates the possibility of using ganar in a sentence.Tatoeba #3581585 by ficion, translation #17808 by CK
- 232 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are playing a board game.
- LucíaCreo que voy a ganar este juego.I think I am going to win this game.
- JavierNo estés tan segura, Lucía.Don't be so sure, Lucía.
- Lucía¡Mira! Ya logré ganar.Look! I already managed to win.
- JavierTienes razón, Javier perdió.You are right, Javier lost.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “win” translations and entries ganar, vencer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ganar, vencer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
