A bonus is an extra incentive provided beyond regular compensation to reward excellence.
Word in 30 Seconds
- An extra payment given as a reward for work performance.
- A benefit or advantage received in addition to the standard.
- Commonly used in business and gaming contexts.
Visión general
La palabra 'bonus' proviene del latín y significa 'bueno'. En el ámbito laboral, se utiliza para describir un pago extraordinario que complementa el salario base. Es una herramienta común en las empresas para motivar al personal y fomentar la productividad. 2) Patrones de uso: Generalmente se usa con verbos como 'recibir', 'obtener' o 'pagar'. A menudo se asocia con el rendimiento anual o con bonificaciones por ventas. 3) Contextos comunes: Se emplea frecuentemente en entornos corporativos, financieros y comerciales. También se utiliza en el lenguaje cotidiano, por ejemplo, en videojuegos para referirse a puntos extra o en compras para indicar un regalo adicional. 4) Comparación de palabras: A diferencia de 'sueldo' (salario fijo), el bonus es variable y condicional. Mientras que 'prima' es un término más formal y técnico en español, 'bonus' se ha integrado profundamente en el léxico empresarial moderno debido a la influencia del inglés.
Usage Notes
The term 'bonus' is widely used in business Spanish but remains an Anglicism. In formal or legal contexts, prefer 'prima' or 'gratificación'. Use it freely in casual office settings or when discussing international business practices.
Common Mistakes
Avoid using 'bonus' as a plural noun in Spanish (e.g., 'los bonus' is correct, not 'los bonuses'). Many speakers mistakenly try to pluralize it with English rules; keep the word invariable in plural.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'Bueno' (good) and 'Bonus'. If you are doing a 'good' job, you get a 'bonus'.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin adjective 'bonus', meaning 'good'. It entered English as a financial term in the 18th century and was later adopted into Spanish business jargon.
Cultural Context
In many Spanish-speaking countries, extra pay is often referred to as 'paga extra' (like the 13th or 14th month pay). This is a legal requirement, unlike a performance bonus which is discretionary.
Examples
El gerente recibió un buen bonus por los resultados anuales.
everydayThe manager received a good bonus for the annual results.
La empresa otorgará una gratificación extraordinaria a los empleados.
formalThe company will grant an extraordinary bonus to the employees.
¡Qué suerte, te dieron un bonus por el proyecto!
informalLucky you, they gave you a bonus for the project!
Los incentivos financieros actúan como un bonus motivacional.
academicFinancial incentives act as a motivational bonus.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Bonus de fin de año
Year-end bonus
Bonus por desempeño
Performance bonus
Sin bonus
Without a bonus
Often Confused With
Prima is a more traditional Spanish term for a bonus or insurance premium. It is preferred in formal legal or financial documents.
A commission is a specific percentage of a sale, whereas a bonus is a general reward that may not be tied to a single transaction.
Grammar Patterns
Use synonyms for formal writing
In formal documents, use 'gratificación' or 'prima' instead of 'bonus'. This ensures your writing sounds professional and avoids excessive Anglicisms.
Do not confuse with gift
A bonus is typically earned through performance, whereas a gift is usually given without specific conditions. Don't use them interchangeably in HR contexts.
Corporate culture and bonuses
In many Spanish-speaking countries, the 'paga extra' (extra salary payment) is a cultural standard, which is different from a performance bonus. Distinguish between these two concepts.
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la palabra correcta.
Debido a que superé mis objetivos de ventas, recibí un ___ al final del año.
El contexto de superar objetivos indica una recompensa extra, lo cual define al bonus.
Selecciona el significado correcto.
¿Qué implica recibir un bonus?
El bonus es una recompensa positiva y extra, no un castigo o cambio de contrato.
Ordena la frase correctamente.
el / recibió / un / bonus / empleado / excelente / por / desempeño
Sigue la estructura lógica Sujeto + Verbo + Objeto + Causa.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsGeneralmente, el bonus no es obligatorio a menos que esté estipulado en el contrato laboral. Depende de las políticas de la empresa y del cumplimiento de objetivos.
Sí, aunque es un anglicismo, está totalmente aceptado en el mundo empresarial. La RAE sugiere usar 'prima' o 'gratificación' si se busca un término más puramente español.
La comisión suele estar directamente ligada a un porcentaje de una venta específica. El bonus es más amplio y puede basarse en objetivos globales de la empresa o desempeño general.
Sí, en el mundo del entretenimiento, un 'bonus' puede ser contenido extra en un DVD o una habilidad especial en un videojuego. Es cualquier extra positivo.
Summary
A bonus is an extra incentive provided beyond regular compensation to reward excellence.
- An extra payment given as a reward for work performance.
- A benefit or advantage received in addition to the standard.
- Commonly used in business and gaming contexts.
Use synonyms for formal writing
In formal documents, use 'gratificación' or 'prima' instead of 'bonus'. This ensures your writing sounds professional and avoids excessive Anglicisms.
Do not confuse with gift
A bonus is typically earned through performance, whereas a gift is usually given without specific conditions. Don't use them interchangeably in HR contexts.
Corporate culture and bonuses
In many Spanish-speaking countries, the 'paga extra' (extra salary payment) is a cultural standard, which is different from a performance bonus. Distinguish between these two concepts.
Examples
4 of 4El gerente recibió un buen bonus por los resultados anuales.
The manager received a good bonus for the annual results.
La empresa otorgará una gratificación extraordinaria a los empleados.
The company will grant an extraordinary bonus to the employees.
¡Qué suerte, te dieron un bonus por el proyecto!
Lucky you, they gave you a bonus for the project!
Los incentivos financieros actúan como un bonus motivacional.
Financial incentives act as a motivational bonus.
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
More work words
accionista
B1A shareholder, an owner of shares in a company.
a corto plazo
B1Within a short period of time; in the short term.
adaptable
B1Able to adjust to new conditions.
a distancia
B1From a distance; remotely.
adjuntar
B1To attach; to join or fasten (something) to something else.
administrativamente
B1Administratively; in an administrative capacity or manner.
agenda
A2A list of items to be discussed or done.
ágilmente
B1Nimbly, agilely; in a quick and graceful manner.
agotador
B1Exhausting; making one feel very tired.
a largo plazo
B1Over a long period of time; in the long term.
