Verb · A2 · Spanish glossary
Ganar: to win, to earn
ganar
Pronunciation: gah-NAHR (stress the capital letters)
Ganar means “to win, to earn” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to win, to earn
- How to say it: gah-NAHR
- Present: yo gano, tú ganas
- Level: Elementary (A2)
What “ganar” means and how to use it
Ganar means “to win” and “to earn” money.
How to conjugate “ganar”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | gano | I |
| tú | ganas | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | gana | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | ganamos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | ganan | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo gané, él ganó | I / he or she |
| Past participle | ganado | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Mi equipo ganó el partido.My team won the game.
- Gano bien en este trabajo.I earn well in this job.
- ¿Quién va a ganar?Who is going to win?
Usage tip
Ganar covers both winning and earning. The opposite for the game sense is perder (to lose).
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to win, to earn” in Spanish?
“to win, to earn” in Spanish is “ganar.” It is pronounced gah-NAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “ganar”?
Say gah-NAHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “ganar”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “gané” and “él” is “ganó.” The past participle is “ganado.”
Practice “ganar” for free
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