When you're just starting out in Spanish, one of the most useful verbs to learn is gastar. This verb is used when you talk about spending money, which is something we do all the time!
You can also use gastar when you're talking about using up resources, like using all the water or all the gas. It's a very common and practical word to know.
Think of it as the Spanish equivalent of "to spend" or "to use up."
Mastering this verb will help you in many everyday situations, like shopping or discussing resources.
When you're shopping or paying for something, the verb you'll use is gastar. It means 'to spend' money. For example, 'I spent a lot of money on clothes' would be 'Gasté mucho dinero en ropa.'
But gastar isn't just about money. You can also use it when you're 'using up' something, like resources or time. Imagine you're talking about electricity; you could say 'Estamos gastando mucha electricidad' (We are using a lot of electricity). It's a really practical verb for daily life.
When we talk about the verb "gastar" in Spanish, it's pretty straightforward for A1 learners: it means "to spend money" or "to use up resources." For example, if you say "Yo gasto mucho dinero en ropa," it means "I spend a lot of money on clothes." Or, if you're talking about using up something, like gas in a car, you might say "Mi coche gasta mucha gasolina," which translates to "My car uses a lot of gasoline."
However, at a C2 level, "gastar" can carry more nuanced and idiomatic meanings. It can refer to wearing something out through use, like "gastar los zapatos" (to wear out shoes). It can also imply consuming something completely, such as "gastar una broma" (to play a joke on someone), where you "use up" the element of surprise. Furthermore, in some contexts, "gastar" can refer to wasting time or energy, as in "No gastes el tiempo en eso" (Don't waste time on that). These advanced uses move beyond simple monetary transactions or resource consumption, delving into more abstract applications of the verb's core meaning of expenditure or depletion.
gastar 30초 만에
- gastar: to spend (money)
- gastar: to use up (resources)
- gastar: to wear out (something)
§ Basic Sentence Structure with 'Gastar'
Alright, let's get straight to it. 'Gastar' means 'to spend' or 'to use up.' It's a regular -AR verb, so its conjugations are pretty straightforward. When you want to say someone spends money, you just use 'gastar' with the appropriate subject pronoun.
Yo gasto mucho dinero.
Translation hint: I spend a lot of money.
Ella gasta en ropa nueva.
Translation hint: She spends on new clothes.
§ 'Gastar' with Prepositions
Sometimes you'll see 'gastar' paired with prepositions to specify what is being spent on. The most common preposition you'll use with 'gastar' when talking about spending money *on* something is 'en'.
- Preposition: En (on/in)
- Use 'en' to indicate what the money or resource is spent on.
Vamos a gastar mucho dinero en el viaje.
Translation hint: We are going to spend a lot of money on the trip.
No me gusta gastar en cosas innecesarias.
Translation hint: I don't like to spend on unnecessary things.
§ 'Gastar' for Using Up Resources
Beyond money, 'gastar' also works for using up other resources, like energy or supplies. Think of it as 'consuming' something.
El coche gasta mucha gasolina.
Translation hint: The car uses up a lot of gasoline.
No gastes toda tu energía ahora.
Translation hint: Don't use up all your energy now.
§ Common Phrases with 'Gastar'
Here are some common ways you'll hear 'gastar' used in everyday Spanish:
Gastar dinero: To spend money. This is the most direct and common usage.
Prefiero no gastar dinero en eso.
Translation hint: I prefer not to spend money on that.
Gastar de más: To overspend.
Siempre gasto de más cuando voy de compras.
Translation hint: I always overspend when I go shopping.
Gastar bromas: To play jokes. This is an idiomatic expression.
A mi amigo le gusta gastar bromas.
Translation hint: My friend likes to play jokes.
§ Conjugation Refresher
Just a quick reminder on how 'gastar' conjugates in the present tense, since you'll be using it constantly:
- Yo (I)
- Gasto
- Tú (You, informal)
- Gastas
- Él/Ella/Usted (He/She/You, formal)
- Gasta
- Nosotros/Nosotras (We)
- Gastamos
- Vosotros/Vosotras (You, informal plural, Spain)
- Gastáis
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes (They/You, formal plural)
- Gastan
Master these conjugations and you'll be able to use 'gastar' in a variety of situations. Keep practicing with different sentences and contexts.
Alright, let's get practical with 'gastar'. This word is super common, and you'll hear it all the time in different contexts, not just when you're talking about shopping. Knowing how to use it correctly will make your Spanish sound a lot more natural. We're going to look at how 'gastar' pops up in conversations about work, school, and even the news.
§ 'Gastar' at Work
In a work setting, 'gastar' isn't always about money changing hands directly. It often refers to using up resources, time, or energy. Think about project budgets, office supplies, or even just your daily effort.
- DEFINITION
- To spend money; to use up resources.
No podemos gastar más dinero en este proyecto.
Translation hint: We can't spend more money on this project.
El equipo gasta mucho tiempo en reuniones.
Translation hint: The team spends (uses up) a lot of time in meetings.
§ 'Gastar' in School
When you're talking about school, 'gastar' often comes up when discussing school supplies, tuition, or even the energy students and teachers expend. It’s about the consumption of resources related to education.
- DEFINITION
- To spend money; to use up resources.
Los estudiantes van a gastar mucho en libros este semestre.
Translation hint: Students are going to spend a lot on books this semester.
No quiero gastar toda mi energía estudiando para un solo examen.
Translation hint: I don't want to use up all my energy studying for just one exam.
§ 'Gastar' in the News
News reports often use 'gastar' when talking about public funds, government spending, or the consumption of natural resources. It’s a very common word in economic or environmental discussions.
- DEFINITION
- To spend money; to use up resources.
El gobierno planea gastar millones en infraestructura.
Translation hint: The government plans to spend millions on infrastructure.
El país está gastando sus recursos naturales a un ritmo alarmante.
Translation hint: The country is using up its natural resources at an alarming rate.
As you can see, 'gastar' is a versatile verb. It’s not just about shopping. It's about any kind of consumption or expenditure. Keep an ear out for it, and you'll notice how frequently it pops up in everyday Spanish conversation and formal contexts alike. Practice using it with different types of resources, and you'll get the hang of it quickly.
- Remember: gastar dinero (to spend money)
- Remember: gastar tiempo (to spend/use time)
- Remember: gastar energía (to use up energy)
- Remember: gastar recursos (to use up resources)
재미있는 사실
The English word 'waste' shares a common ancestor with 'gastar', both stemming from the Latin 'vastare'.
어원
Latin: 'vastare' (to lay waste, devastate)
원래 의미: To destroy, waste
Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Spanish문화적 맥락
In Spanish-speaking cultures, the concept of 'gastar' often extends beyond just money to include time and energy. For example, 'no gastes tu energía en eso' means 'don't waste your energy on that'. It's common to hear people discuss how they 'gastan' their weekends or holidays, referring to how they spend their leisure time.
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
Shopping for groceries or clothes
- ¿Cuánto vas a gastar hoy?
- No quiero gastar mucho en esto.
- Voy a gastar todo mi dinero en comida.
Planning a trip or vacation
- Vamos a gastar mucho en el viaje.
- ¿Cuánto dinero gastamos en el hotel?
- Quiero gastar menos en transporte.
Talking about household expenses
- Gastamos demasiado en la electricidad.
- Es importante no gastar mucha agua.
- Tenemos que gastar menos en calefacción.
Discussing gifts or presents
- No gastes mucho en mi regalo.
- ¿Qué vas a gastar para su cumpleaños?
- Ya gasté todo mi dinero en los regalos.
Managing personal finances
- Necesito gastar mi dinero con cuidado.
- ¿En qué sueles gastar tu sueldo?
- Me gusta gastar en experiencias, no en cosas.
대화 시작하기
"¿Cuánto dinero sueles gastar en un fin de semana?"
"¿En qué es lo último que gastaste mucho dinero?"
"¿Prefieres gastar en cosas materiales o en experiencias?"
"¿Qué cosas evitas gastar dinero en?"
"Si tuvieras dinero ilimitado, ¿en qué lo gastarías?"
일기 주제
Describe una situación en la que gastaste más dinero de lo que planeabas. ¿Qué pasó?
Piensa en algo en lo que gastas dinero regularmente. ¿Crees que es una buena inversión?
Escribe sobre una vez que te sentiste feliz por gastar dinero en algo. ¿Por qué?
Imagina que tienes un presupuesto limitado para un mes. ¿Cómo planearías gastar tu dinero?
¿Qué significa para ti 'gastar dinero sabiamente'? Da ejemplos.
셀프 테스트 48 질문
Yo no quiero _____ mucho dinero en ropa.
The infinitive 'gastar' is needed after 'quiero' (I want to).
¿Cuánto dinero vas a _____ hoy?
After 'vas a' (you are going to), the infinitive 'gastar' is used.
Ella siempre _____ mucho en regalos.
For 'ella' (she), the correct conjugation in the present tense is 'gasta'.
Nosotros no queremos _____ toda la energía.
Similar to the first example, 'gastar' is used after 'queremos' (we want to).
Él _____ su tiempo leyendo libros.
For 'él' (he), the correct present tense conjugation is 'gasta'.
No _____ mucho dinero en cosas que no necesitas.
This is a negative command for 'tú' (you), so 'gastes' is used.
Which word means 'to spend'?
'Gastar' is the Spanish verb for 'to spend' or 'to use up.'
Choose the correct translation for 'I spend money.'
The verb 'gastar' means 'to spend,' and 'yo gasto' means 'I spend.'
If you 'gastar' your resources, what are you doing?
'Gastar' can also mean 'to use up,' especially in the context of resources.
The word 'gastar' means 'to eat.'
'Gastar' means 'to spend' or 'to use up,' not 'to eat.' The Spanish word for 'to eat' is 'comer.'
You can 'gastar' both money and resources.
Yes, 'gastar' can refer to spending money or using up resources.
If someone says 'No gasto mucho dinero,' they are saying they spend a lot of money.
'No gasto mucho dinero' means 'I don't spend much money.' The word 'no' makes it negative.
Write a short sentence about something you like to spend money on. (Hint: Use 'gastar' and a noun like 'ropa' (clothes) or 'comida' (food).)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Me gusta gastar dinero en libros. (I like to spend money on books.)
Imagine you are at a market. What would you NOT want to spend a lot of money on? Write a sentence. (Hint: Use 'no quiero gastar mucho en'.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
No quiero gastar mucho dinero en souvenirs. (I don't want to spend a lot of money on souvenirs.)
Complete the sentence: 'Ella _______ dinero en un café.' (She spends money in a cafe.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ella gasta dinero en un café. (She spends money in a cafe.)
¿En qué gasta dinero María en el supermercado?
Read this passage:
María va al supermercado. Ella necesita comida para la semana. Gasta cincuenta euros en frutas y verduras. Después, va a la librería y compra un libro. Gasta diez euros en el libro.
¿En qué gasta dinero María en el supermercado?
The passage states, 'Gasta cincuenta euros en frutas y verduras.' (She spends fifty euros on fruits and vegetables.)
The passage states, 'Gasta cincuenta euros en frutas y verduras.' (She spends fifty euros on fruits and vegetables.)
¿Qué le gusta gastar dinero a Juan?
Read this passage:
Juan siempre gasta mucho dinero en tecnología. Le encanta comprar teléfonos nuevos y computadoras. Su amigo Pedro prefiere gastar dinero en viajes. Ellos son diferentes.
¿Qué le gusta gastar dinero a Juan?
The passage says, 'Juan siempre gasta mucho dinero en tecnología.' (Juan always spends a lot of money on technology.)
The passage says, 'Juan siempre gasta mucho dinero en tecnología.' (Juan always spends a lot of money on technology.)
¿Gasta mucho dinero la familia en restaurantes normalmente?
Read this passage:
Mi familia no gasta mucho dinero en restaurantes. Preferimos cocinar en casa. Pero a veces, para una ocasión especial, gastamos en una buena cena.
¿Gasta mucho dinero la familia en restaurantes normalmente?
The passage states, 'Mi familia no gasta mucho dinero en restaurantes. Preferimos cocinar en casa.' (My family doesn't spend a lot of money in restaurants. We prefer to cook at home.)
The passage states, 'Mi familia no gasta mucho dinero en restaurantes. Preferimos cocinar en casa.' (My family doesn't spend a lot of money in restaurants. We prefer to cook at home.)
This sentence means 'I spend money on food.' It follows the common Spanish sentence structure of subject + verb + object.
This sentence means 'She spends a lot on clothes.' The verb 'gasta' agrees with the subject 'Ella'.
This sentence means 'They don't use much water.' 'No' comes before the verb to make it negative.
Yo no quiero ___ mucho dinero en ropa.
The sentence means 'I don't want to spend a lot of money on clothes.' 'Gastar' means 'to spend.'
Ella siempre ___ su tiempo libre leyendo libros.
The sentence means 'She always spends her free time reading books.' 'Gasta' is the correct conjugation of 'gastar' for 'ella'.
Necesitamos ___ menos agua para cuidar el planeta.
The sentence means 'We need to use less water to take care of the planet.' 'Gastar' here means 'to use up' or 'to consume'.
Ellos no pueden ___ tanto en vacaciones este año.
The sentence means 'They cannot spend so much on vacation this year.' 'Gastar' is the correct verb.
¿Cuánto dinero vas a ___ en el regalo?
The sentence means 'How much money are you going to spend on the gift?' 'Gastar' is the correct verb.
No debemos ___ energía sin necesidad.
The sentence means 'We should not waste energy unnecessarily.' 'Gastar' in this context means 'to waste' or 'to use up'.
Listen for 'spend money'.
Listen for 'how much are you going to spend'.
Listen for 'always spend too much'.
Read this aloud:
Voy a gastar mi tiempo libre leyendo un libro.
Focus: ga-STAR
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
No me gusta gastar agua cuando me ducho.
Focus: gas-TAR
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
¿Cuánto gastaste en el supermercado?
Focus: gas-TAS-te
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Choose the best translation for: 'No quiero gastar tanto dinero en ropa.'
The verb 'gastar' means 'to spend' when referring to money. 'No quiero' means 'I don't want to'.
Which sentence correctly uses 'gastar' in the sense of using up a resource?
'Gastar' can mean to use up a resource. In this context, 'gastar el agua' means to use up the water. The other options don't fit the meaning of 'using up' a resource naturally.
What is the most appropriate response to: '¿Gastaste mucho en las vacaciones?'
The question asks if you spent a lot on vacation. 'Sí, gasté mucho' (Yes, I spent a lot) is the most direct and appropriate answer. 'Gasté un poco' (I spent a little) is also grammatically correct but 'mucho' is a more direct answer to 'mucho' in the question. 'No gasté nada' (I didn't spend anything) would contradict 'mucho' in the question. 'Gasté tiempo' means 'I spent time' which is not what the question is asking about.
The sentence 'Voy a gastar mi tiempo en estudiar' means 'I am going to spend my time studying.'
'Gastar' can be used with 'tiempo' to mean 'to spend time'.
If someone says 'No me gusta gastar el dinero', they are expressing a preference for spending a lot of money.
'No me gusta' means 'I don't like'. So, 'No me gusta gastar el dinero' means 'I don't like to spend money'.
The phrase 'gastarse' (reflexive) can imply that something is being worn out or used up completely.
When 'gastar' is used reflexively as 'gastarse', it often conveys the idea of something being used up, worn out, or depleted.
This sentence demonstrates the consequence of spending too much money, a common use of 'gastar'.
This sentence illustrates 'gastar' being used with 'tiempo' to mean 'to spend time' or 'to waste time', often implying a negative connotation.
This sentence shows 'gastar' with a large amount of money ('una fortuna') for repairs, emphasizing a significant expenditure.
/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Gastar is a common verb for spending money and using up things, essential for daily conversations.
- gastar: to spend (money)
- gastar: to use up (resources)
- gastar: to wear out (something)
관련 콘텐츠
이 단어를 다른 언어로
daily_life 관련 단어
a menudo
A1Frequently; on many occasions.
abonar
A2To pay, to subscribe; to make a payment or subscribe to a service.
abreviar
B1To shorten (a word, phrase, or text).
abrigo
A1Coat.
abril
A1April
acercarse
A2To move closer to someone or something.
acompañar
A2To go somewhere with (someone) as a companion or escort.
acostar
A2To put someone to bed.
acostarse
A1To go to bed, to lie down for sleep.
acostumbrarse
B1To get used to a situation or habit.
