At the A1 level, you don't need to worry about the technical details of 'subvención'. Just think of it as 'ayuda con dinero' (help with money). It is a word you might see on signs or in the news. It is a feminine word, so you say 'la subvención'. Imagine you want to buy a bike and the city gives you 50 euros to help; that help is a 'subvención'. It is a long word, but you can recognize it because it ends in '-ción', which usually means 'tion' in English. For now, just remember it means 'money help from the government or a big group'. You can use it in simple sentences like 'Yo quiero una subvención' (I want a subsidy). It is important to know it is formal money, not a gift from a friend.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'subvención' to talk about basic needs and community projects. You should know that it is a noun and the verb is 'subvencionar'. For example, 'El gobierno subvenciona el pan' (The government subsidizes bread). You will see this word often if you live in a Spanish-speaking country when looking at prices for buses or museums. Often, if a ticket is cheap, it is because of a 'subvención'. You should also learn the plural: 'subvenciones'. Remember to remove the accent mark when you make it plural. It is a useful word for explaining why things are affordable or how a small club gets its money. You can say 'Mi club de fútbol tiene una subvención' (My football club has a subsidy).
At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'subvención' in professional and administrative contexts. This is the level where you learn to 'solicitar' (apply for) or 'recibir' (receive) a subvención. You should understand that it involves paperwork and specific rules. You might use it to talk about your work: 'Mi empresa ha solicitado una subvención para tecnología'. You should also distinguish it from 'beca' (scholarship for students). At this level, you can describe the purpose of the money using 'para' + infinitive. It is a key word for discussing the economy, environment, or social issues in intermediate-level conversations. You should also be aware of common collocations like 'subvención estatal' or 'subvención pública'.
At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the nuances of 'subvención'. You should know that it is a non-repayable grant, which distinguishes it from a 'préstamo' (loan). You should be able to discuss the ethics and politics of subsidies, such as 'subvenciones a los combustibles fósiles' versus 'subvenciones a las energías renovables'. You can use more advanced verbs like 'otorgar', 'conceder', or 'denegar'. You should also be able to read news articles about government budgets and understand how 'subvenciones' affect the national economy. Your ability to explain the requirements for a grant—such as 'cumplir los requisitos' or 'presentar la documentación'—should be fluent. You are expected to use the word correctly in formal letters or business reports.
At the C1 level, 'subvención' becomes a tool for precise legal and economic discourse. You should understand the administrative law behind it, including the 'Ley General de Subvenciones' in Spain. You should be able to discuss 'concurrencia competitiva' (competitive bidding) and the 'justificación de la subvención' (auditing/justification of the grant). You will use the term in complex debates about state aid and its impact on market competition within the European Union framework. You should also be familiar with related terms like 'subvenciones finalistas' (grants for a specific end) and 'reintegro de subvenciones' (repayment of grants due to non-compliance). Your vocabulary should include synonyms like 'dotación presupuestaria' and 'transferencia de capital'.
At the C2 level, you possess a complete mastery of 'subvención' and its myriad applications in specialized fields. You can navigate the most complex bureaucratic texts and legal frameworks regarding public funding. You understand the subtle differences between 'subvenciones', 'ayudas de estado', 'incentivos fiscales', and 'bonificaciones'. You can lead high-level negotiations or academic seminars on the socio-economic effects of subsidy policies on a global scale. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native professional, employing the word with perfect register and collocations in legal briefs, economic analyses, or political manifestos. You are also aware of the historical evolution of the word and its role in the development of the modern administrative state.

subvención in 30 Seconds

  • A formal financial grant or subsidy provided by public or private entities for specific projects.
  • A feminine noun (la subvención) commonly used in economic, legal, and administrative contexts in Spanish.
  • Crucial for discussing funding, government aid, and social welfare programs in Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Distinct from 'beca' (educational scholarship) and often refers to non-repayable financial support.

The Spanish word subvención is a fundamental term in the realms of economics, public administration, and social development. At its core, it refers to a financial contribution, typically granted by a public body or a private entity, to support an activity, a project, or an individual without the requirement of repayment. Unlike a loan (crédito), a subvención is essentially 'free money' provided that the recipient fulfills specific conditions or achieves certain objectives. In the Spanish-speaking world, particularly in Spain and Latin America, the concept is deeply tied to the welfare state and the promotion of culture, research, and industry.

Economic Context
In economics, it represents a transfer of resources aimed at reducing the cost of production or consumption. For instance, a government might offer a subvención to electric vehicle buyers to encourage green energy. This is a strategic tool used by states to steer the economy toward specific goals, such as sustainability or technological innovation.

El cineasta recibió una subvención del Ministerio de Cultura para rodar su primera película documental sobre la historia de Madrid.

Social and Cultural Usage
Beyond the hard numbers, subvenciones are the lifeblood of non-profit organizations and cultural institutions. Museums, theaters, and local festivals often rely on these grants to remain operational. When a Spaniard speaks of 'solicitar una subvención', they are often navigating the complex bureaucracy of the 'Administración Pública', which requires meticulous documentation and justification of expenses.

The word carries a weight of formality. You won't hear it in casual conversation about a friend lending you five euros; it is strictly reserved for formal financial support. In recent years, the term has gained even more prominence due to European Union recovery funds (Fondos Next Generation), which are distributed via various subvenciones to modernize the Spanish industrial fabric. Understanding this word is crucial for anyone looking to work in business, law, or public policy in a Spanish-speaking country, as it dictates how projects are funded and reported.

La asociación vecinal ha solicitado una subvención para rehabilitar el parque del barrio.

Legal Nuance
Legally, a subvención is subject to strict audits. If the money is not spent according to the approved plan, the recipient may be forced to return it (reintegro). This legal accountability is a key aspect of the word's meaning in a professional context.

El ayuntamiento anunció una nueva subvención para los jóvenes que quieran alquilar su primera vivienda.

Using subvención correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender and the verbs that typically accompany it. As a feminine noun ending in '-ción', it always takes the feminine articles: la subvención or una subvención. The plural form is subvenciones, dropping the accent mark on the 'o' as is standard for Spanish words ending in 'n' when they gain a syllable.

Common Verb Pairings
The most common verbs used with this word are solicitar (to apply for), conceder or otorgar (to grant), and recibir (to receive). If a grant is denied, we use denegar. For the act of managing the funds, gestionar is the preferred term.

Es necesario presentar toda la documentación antes de solicitar la subvención estatal.

When describing the source of the subsidy, we use the preposition 'de' or 'por parte de'. For example, 'una subvención del gobierno' (a government subsidy) or 'subvención por parte de la Unión Europea'. When describing the purpose, we use 'para' followed by an infinitive or a noun: 'subvención para la investigación' (subsidy for research).

Gracias a la subvención concedida, pudimos comprar nuevos equipos para el laboratorio.

Syntactic Patterns
A typical sentence structure follows: [Subject] + [Verb] + [Subvención] + [Purpose/Origin]. Example: 'La empresa solicitó una subvención para digitalizar sus procesos'. Here, 'La empresa' is the subject, 'solicitó' is the verb, 'una subvención' is the direct object, and 'para digitalizar...' is the purpose.

Muchos agricultores dependen de la subvención agraria para mantener sus cultivos.

In everyday life in a Spanish-speaking country, you will encounter the word subvención in several specific environments. Primarily, it is a staple of the evening news and financial newspapers like Expansión or Cinco Días. Journalists use it when discussing government budgets, new laws, or economic crises. If the government announces a plan to lower the price of gas or electricity, they will often speak of 'subvenciones a la energía'.

The Workplace
If you work in a Spanish company, especially a startup or an NGO, 'la subvención' is a constant topic of conversation. Managers will discuss the 'convocatoria de subvenciones' (call for grant applications) and the deadlines for submitting paperwork. It is often associated with a sense of relief when granted and a sense of bureaucratic exhaustion during the application phase.

¿Has visto la nueva subvención para la formación de empleados que ha salido hoy?

In the academic world, researchers spend a significant portion of their time applying for subvenciones to fund their studies. In this context, it is synonymous with 'funding' or 'grants'. You will hear professors talking about the 'proyectos subvencionados' (subsidized projects) they are currently leading. Similarly, in the arts, actors and directors often debate the merits and drawbacks of a 'cine subvencionado' (subsidized cinema), which is a common political talking point in Spain.

El precio del billete de autobús es bajo porque cuenta con una generosa subvención municipal.

In the Community
Local associations, from sports clubs to neighborhood groups, frequently apply for municipal subvenciones to organize events. You might see posters for a local 'fiesta' that say 'Con la subvención del Excelentísimo Ayuntamiento de...' at the bottom.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is the confusion between subvención and subsidio. While in English 'subsidy' and 'subvention' are often used interchangeably, in Spanish they have distinct nuances. A subvención is usually for a specific project or activity (like a business grant), whereas a subsidio often refers to social welfare payments (like unemployment benefits, 'subsidio por desempleo').

Gender and Number Errors
Beginners often mistakenly say 'el subvención' because the word looks technical and 'masculine' to some ears. Remember: all words ending in -ción are feminine. Another error is keeping the accent in the plural: 'subvenciónes' is incorrect; it must be subvenciones.

Incorrecto: El gobierno aprobó un subvención. Correcto: El gobierno aprobó una subvención.

Another common mistake is using the word 'beca' when 'subvención' is required. A beca is specifically for education (scholarships). If a company gets money from the state for R&D, it is a subvención, not a beca. Conversely, a student doesn't receive a 'subvención' to study abroad; they receive a 'beca'.

Incorrecto: Recibí una beca para abrir mi tienda. Correcto: Recibí una subvención para abrir mi tienda.

Preposition Pitfalls
Learners sometimes use 'a' instead of 'para' when describing the purpose. Say 'subvención para el desarrollo' (subsidy for development) rather than 'subvención al desarrollo', though 'a' can be used when the subsidy is applied directly to a price (e.g., 'subvención al precio del pan').

To enrich your Spanish vocabulary, it is essential to know the synonyms and related terms for subvención. Depending on the context—whether it's a formal legal document or a casual business chat—different words might be more appropriate.

Subsidio vs. Subvención
As mentioned, subsidio is often used for social welfare. However, in some Latin American countries, 'subsidio' is used more broadly to include what Spaniards call 'subvención'. In Spain, 'subsidio' often implies a recurring payment to individuals in need, while 'subvención' is a one-off or periodic grant for a specific project.
Ayuda Económica
This is a more generic term. If you are unsure of the technicality, ayuda or ayuda económica is always safe. It translates simply to 'financial aid'. It is less formal than 'subvención' but very common.

La dotación presupuestaria para el proyecto fue insuficiente.

Dotación and Fondo
Dotación refers to the specific amount of money allocated to a prize or a grant. Fondo (often in plural, fondos) refers to the pool of money from which subsidies are drawn. You might hear: 'Los fondos europeos financian esta subvención'.

El gobierno ha creado un fondo especial para subvencionar a las pymes.

Other terms include estipendio (a small fixed payment, like a stipend) and patrocinio (sponsorship, usually involving marketing). Knowing these distinctions allows you to navigate professional Spanish with much higher precision and authority.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

""

Neutral

""

Informal

""

Child friendly

""

Slang

""

Fun Fact

The root 'sub-' (under) and 'venire' (to come) literally means 'to come under' to support something so it doesn't fall.

Pronunciation Guide

UK suβ.βen.'θjon
US suβ.βen.'sjon
The stress is on the last syllable 'ción'.
Rhymes With
canción atención reacción nación estación acción lección misión
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 'b' too hard like an English 'b' (it should be softer).
  • Forgetting the stress on the last syllable.
  • Failing to change 'c' to 's' or 'th' depending on the region.
  • Keeping the accent mark in the plural 'subvenciones'.
  • Pronouncing it as four syllables instead of three (sub-ven-ción).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and formal documents.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct spelling and accent management.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of -ción is standard but needs practice.

Listening 3/5

Clear sound, but often used in fast-paced news.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

dinero ayuda gobierno empresa pagar

Learn Next

presupuesto impuesto financiación burocracia requisito

Advanced

concurrencia justificación fiscalización reintegro partida

Grammar to Know

Feminine nouns ending in -ción

La subvención, la educación, la nación.

Accent drop in plural

Subvención -> Subvenciones.

Preposition 'para' for purpose

Dinero para el desarrollo.

Passive voice with 'ser'

La subvención fue otorgada.

Verbs of request (solicitar)

Solicito una ayuda.

Examples by Level

1

La subvención es para el club.

The subsidy is for the club.

Feminine noun 'la'.

2

Necesito una subvención.

I need a subsidy.

Indefinite article 'una'.

3

El pan tiene una subvención.

The bread has a subsidy.

Simple present tense.

4

Hay muchas subvenciones.

There are many subsidies.

Plural form 'subvenciones' (no accent).

5

Es una ayuda, una subvención.

It is an aid, a subsidy.

Apposition for clarification.

6

La subvención es del gobierno.

The subsidy is from the government.

Possession with 'del'.

7

Gracias por la subvención.

Thank you for the subsidy.

Preposition 'por' for gratitude.

8

La subvención ayuda mucho.

The subsidy helps a lot.

Subject-verb agreement.

1

El ayuntamiento da una subvención.

The city hall gives a subsidy.

Verb 'dar' (to give).

2

Queremos subvenciones para el arte.

We want subsidies for art.

Preposition 'para' for purpose.

3

La subvención paga el transporte.

The subsidy pays for transport.

Direct object relation.

4

No hay subvención este año.

There is no subsidy this year.

Negative construction with 'no'.

5

Es una subvención muy pequeña.

It is a very small subsidy.

Adjective 'pequeña' matching gender.

6

Busco información sobre la subvención.

I am looking for information about the subsidy.

Preposition 'sobre' (about).

7

La subvención llegó ayer.

The subsidy arrived yesterday.

Preterite tense 'llegó'.

8

Ellos reciben una subvención anual.

They receive an annual subsidy.

Adjective 'anual'.

1

Debes solicitar la subvención antes de mayo.

You must apply for the subsidy before May.

Infinitive 'solicitar' after 'deber'.

2

La subvención fue concedida a la ONG.

The subsidy was granted to the NGO.

Passive voice with 'fue concedida'.

3

Sin la subvención, el proyecto fracasará.

Without the subsidy, the project will fail.

Conditional context with 'sin'.

4

El estado subvenciona la energía solar.

The state subsidizes solar energy.

Verb 'subvencionar' in present tense.

5

Hay que justificar cada euro de la subvención.

One must justify every euro of the subsidy.

Impersonal 'hay que'.

6

La convocatoria de subvenciones ya está abierta.

The call for subsidies is already open.

Noun phrase 'convocatoria de'.

7

Recibimos una subvención para el desarrollo rural.

We received a subsidy for rural development.

Compound noun phrase.

8

La cuantía de la subvención es de mil euros.

The amount of the subsidy is one thousand euros.

Noun 'cuantía' (amount).

1

La empresa opta a una subvención de innovación.

The company is eligible for an innovation subsidy.

Verb 'optar a' (to be eligible for).

2

Se ha denegado la subvención por falta de papeles.

The subsidy has been denied due to lack of papers.

Passive 'se' construction.

3

Las subvenciones públicas están bajo lupa.

Public subsidies are under scrutiny.

Idiomatic expression 'bajo lupa'.

4

Esta subvención es incompatible con otras ayudas.

This subsidy is incompatible with other aids.

Adjective 'incompatible'.

5

El sector agrario depende de las subvenciones europeas.

The agricultural sector depends on European subsidies.

Verb 'depender de'.

6

Han ampliado el plazo para pedir la subvención.

They have extended the deadline to ask for the subsidy.

Present perfect tense.

7

La subvención cubre el 50% de los costes.

The subsidy covers 50% of the costs.

Verb 'cubrir' (to cover).

8

Es una subvención a fondo perdido.

It is a non-repayable subsidy.

Fixed expression 'a fondo perdido'.

1

La resolución de la subvención se publicará en el BOE.

The resolution of the subsidy will be published in the BOE.

Future passive with 'se'.

2

Existe un riesgo de reintegro de la subvención.

There is a risk of repayment of the subsidy.

Legal term 'reintegro'.

3

La subvención fomenta la cohesión territorial.

The subsidy promotes territorial cohesion.

Formal verb 'fomentar'.

4

La normativa regula la concesión de subvenciones.

The regulations govern the granting of subsidies.

Collective noun 'normativa'.

5

Se sospecha de un uso fraudulento de la subvención.

A fraudulent use of the subsidy is suspected.

Adjective 'fraudulento'.

6

La subvención está sujeta a fiscalización previa.

The subsidy is subject to prior audit.

Technical term 'fiscalización'.

7

El impacto de la subvención ha sido analizado.

The impact of the subsidy has been analyzed.

Compound past participle.

8

Las bases de la subvención son muy estrictas.

The terms of the subsidy are very strict.

Noun 'bases' (terms/rules).

1

La subvención actúa como un catalizador económico.

The subsidy acts as an economic catalyst.

Metaphorical usage.

2

Se debate la legitimidad de tales subvenciones estatales.

The legitimacy of such state subsidies is being debated.

Abstract noun 'legitimidad'.

3

La subvención palía los efectos de la inflación.

The subsidy mitigates the effects of inflation.

Sophisticated verb 'paliar'.

4

La discrecionalidad en el reparto de subvenciones es criticada.

The discretion in the distribution of subsidies is criticized.

Technical noun 'discrecionalidad'.

5

Las subvenciones cruzadas pueden distorsionar el mercado.

Cross-subsidies can distort the market.

Economic term 'subvenciones cruzadas'.

6

La cuantía está supeditada a la disponibilidad presupuestaria.

The amount is contingent upon budget availability.

Advanced phrase 'supeditada a'.

7

Se exige transparencia en la gestión de la subvención.

Transparency is required in the management of the subsidy.

Subjunctive-adjacent 'se exige'.

8

La subvención es un instrumento de política redistributiva.

The subsidy is an instrument of redistributive policy.

Complex political terminology.

Common Collocations

solicitar una subvención
conceder una subvención
denegar una subvención
subvención estatal
subvención pública
convocatoria de subvenciones
justificar la subvención
cuantía de la subvención
subvención a fondo perdido
reintegro de la subvención

Common Phrases

estar pendiente de una subvención

— To be waiting for the decision on a grant application.

Estamos pendientes de una subvención para el local.

vivir de subvenciones

— To rely solely on grants to survive (often used critically).

Dicen que ese cineasta vive de subvenciones.

subvención directa

— A grant given without a competitive bidding process.

Fue una subvención directa del ministerio.

bases reguladoras

— The specific rules governing a grant.

Lee las bases reguladoras de la subvención.

plazo de solicitud

— The timeframe during which you can apply.

El plazo de solicitud termina el viernes.

beneficiario de la subvención

— The person or entity that receives the money.

Juan es el beneficiario de la subvención.

órgano concedente

— The entity (e.g., a ministry) that gives the grant.

El órgano concedente es la Junta de Andalucía.

subvención nominativa

— A subsidy specifically named in a budget for a certain person/entity.

Es una subvención nominativa para la Cruz Roja.

gasto subvencionable

— An expense that can be covered by the grant money.

El alquiler no es un gasto subvencionable.

plan estratégico de subvenciones

— A government plan outlining future grants.

El gobierno aprobó el plan estratégico de subvenciones.

Often Confused With

subvención vs subsidio

Subsidio is usually for social welfare (unemployment); subvención is for projects.

subvención vs beca

Beca is specifically for students and education.

subvención vs préstamo

A préstamo must be paid back; a subvención does not.

Idioms & Expressions

"a fondo perdido"

— Money given without expecting it back, typical of subsidies.

Nos dieron una subvención a fondo perdido.

formal
"bajo cuerda"

— Secretly (sometimes used if a subsidy is given unfairly).

Le dieron la subvención bajo cuerda.

informal
"caído del cielo"

— Unexpected help (like a surprise grant).

Esa subvención nos ha caído del cielo.

informal
"dar luz verde"

— To approve (often used when a subsidy is approved).

Han dado luz verde a la subvención.

neutral
"poner trabas"

— To put obstacles (often in the application process).

La administración pone muchas trabas a la subvención.

neutral
"atarse los machos"

— To prepare for something difficult (like a complex audit).

Hay que atarse los machos para justificar la subvención.

informal
"tirar de la manta"

— To reveal a scandal (sometimes related to misused subsidies).

Alguien tiró de la manta sobre las subvenciones falsas.

informal
"hacer caja"

— To collect money (sometimes used when receiving many grants).

La empresa hizo caja con las subvenciones europeas.

informal
"cortar el grifo"

— To stop funding.

El gobierno ha cortado el grifo de las subvenciones.

informal
"salvar los muebles"

— To save the situation (a subsidy can save a business).

La subvención nos permitió salvar los muebles este trimestre.

informal

Easily Confused

subvención vs donación

Both involve giving money.

Donación is a gift from a private individual; subvención is a formal grant from an entity.

Hice una donación a la iglesia, pero pedí una subvención al estado.

subvención vs financiación

Both provide funds.

Financiación is the general act of getting money (can be loans); subvención is a specific type of grant.

La financiación incluye un crédito y una subvención.

subvención vs patrocinio

Both involve money for an activity.

Patrocinio (sponsorship) usually requires marketing in return; subvención is for public interest.

El festival tiene patrocinio de marcas y una subvención del ayuntamiento.

subvención vs premio

Both are money given.

A premio is for past achievement; a subvención is for future activity.

Ganó el premio al mejor actor y una subvención para su próxima obra.

subvención vs ayuda

Synonyms.

Ayuda is generic; subvención is the specific legal term.

Necesito ayuda, específicamente una subvención de vivienda.

Sentence Patterns

A1

La subvención es [adjetivo].

La subvención es buena.

A2

Hay una subvención para [sustantivo].

Hay una subvención para el arte.

B1

Quiero solicitar una subvención para [infinitivo].

Quiero solicitar una subvención para estudiar.

B2

La subvención ha sido [participio] por [entidad].

La subvención ha sido aprobada por el estado.

C1

Dada la cuantía de la subvención, [consecuencia].

Dada la cuantía de la subvención, el proyecto es viable.

C2

La supeditación de la subvención a [condición] es clave.

La supeditación de la subvención al cumplimiento de hitos es clave.

B1

Gracias a la subvención, podemos [verbo].

Gracias a la subvención, podemos comprar el local.

B2

Se prevé una nueva convocatoria de subvenciones.

Se prevé una nueva convocatoria de subvenciones para el próximo mes.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

How to Use It

frequency

Very frequent in news, business, and legal contexts.

Common Mistakes
  • El subvención La subvención

    Nouns ending in -ción are feminine.

  • Subvenciónes Subvenciones

    Plural nouns ending in -es lose the accent mark from the singular -ón.

  • Pedir una beca para mi empresa Pedir una subvención para mi empresa

    'Beca' is for students; 'subvención' is for entities/projects.

  • Subvención al desarrollo Subvención para el desarrollo

    'Para' is better for expressing the purpose of the grant.

  • Pagar la subvención Devolver la subvención

    If you return the money, use 'devolver' or 'reintegrar', not 'pagar'.

Tips

Gender Tip

Always remember 'la subvención'. All nouns ending in -ción are feminine.

Verb Choice

Use 'solicitar' for applying and 'otorgar' for granting to sound professional.

Regional Use

In some parts of Latin America, 'subsidio' is more common than 'subvención'.

Beca vs Subvención

Don't say 'beca' for a business grant; use 'subvención' instead.

Plural Spelling

Remove the accent mark when writing 'subvenciones' in the plural.

Justification

In a professional context, 'justificar' means proving how you spent the grant.

Non-repayable

Remember 'a fondo perdido' means you don't have to pay the money back.

News Context

When you hear 'fondos europeos', the word 'subvención' is likely to follow.

Formal Letters

Start with 'En relación a la convocatoria de subvenciones...' in formal emails.

Pronunciation

The 'v' in Spanish sounds like a soft 'b', not like the English 'v'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'SUBmarine' bringing 'VENTilation' (money) to a sunken project. Sub-ven-ción.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant government hand holding a 'sub' (sandwich) and giving it to a hungry person (a business).

Word Web

Dinero Gobierno Proyecto Ayuda Empresa Burocracia Papeles Firma

Challenge

Try to find three things in your city (like a bus or a park) that might have a 'subvención'.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'subventio', which comes from 'subvenire' (to come to help).

Original meaning: To come to the aid or assistance of someone.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 'living off subsidies' as it can be a politically charged topic.

In the US, we often say 'grant' or 'subsidy'. 'Subvention' exists in English but is very rare and academic.

The Spanish 'Ley General de Subvenciones' (2003). EU CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) subsidies. The 'Bono Cultural Joven' in Spain.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business

  • plan de negocio
  • solicitud de fondos
  • viabilidad
  • inversión

Agriculture

  • PAC
  • cultivos
  • ayuda agraria
  • sequía

Arts

  • ministerio de cultura
  • producción
  • beca artística
  • exposición

Environment

  • energías verdes
  • placas solares
  • eficiencia
  • sostenibilidad

Social

  • ONG
  • vivienda social
  • desempleo
  • colectivo

Conversation Starters

"¿Crees que el cine debería recibir tantas subvenciones?"

"¿Has solicitado alguna vez una subvención para tu negocio?"

"¿Qué opinas de las subvenciones al transporte público?"

"¿Es difícil el proceso de pedir una subvención en tu país?"

"¿Crees que las subvenciones ayudan o hacen a la gente dependiente?"

Journal Prompts

Describe un proyecto que realizarías si recibieras una subvención de un millón de euros.

Investiga una subvención actual en tu ciudad y explica sus requisitos.

Escribe sobre los pros y los contras de las subvenciones gubernamentales.

Imagina que eres un político: ¿a qué sectores darías más subvenciones y por qué?

Relata una experiencia (real o ficticia) de solicitar una ayuda económica formal.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Es una ayuda económica que no requiere ser devuelta por el beneficiario, siempre que se cumplan las condiciones establecidas. Es el tipo más común de subvención pública.

La beca se otorga a personas para su formación o estudios, mientras que la subvención se da a proyectos, empresas o actividades de interés general.

Generalmente sí. En muchos países, las subvenciones se consideran ingresos y deben tributar en la declaración de la renta o el impuesto de sociedades.

Depende de la convocatoria. Pueden ser particulares, autónomos, empresas, ONGs o incluso otras administraciones públicas.

La administración puede exigir el reintegro de la subvención, es decir, que devuelvas el dinero más los intereses de demora.

Se publican en el Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE), en los boletines autonómicos y en la Base de Datos Nacional de Subvenciones.

No exactamente. El subsidio suele ser una ayuda asistencial (como el de desempleo), mientras que la subvención fomenta una actividad específica.

Es aquel gasto que la entidad que da el dinero acepta cubrir. Por ejemplo, la compra de maquinaria puede serlo, pero las multas no.

Presentando facturas, contratos, memorias de actividad y pruebas de que el dinero se ha usado para el fin previsto.

Sí, a menudo los gobiernos lanzan planes (como el Plan MOVES en España) para subvencionar la compra de vehículos eléctricos.

Test Yourself 178 questions

writing

Escribe una frase usando 'subvención' y 'gobierno'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Explica para qué pedirías una subvención.

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Pronuncia: 'La subvención estatal'.

Read this aloud:

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listening

Escucha e identifica la palabra clave: 'El ayuntamiento otorgó la subvención'.

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writing

Escribe un correo corto pidiendo información sobre una subvención.

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writing

¿Qué harías con una subvención de 10.000 euros?

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writing

Nombra tres tipos de subvenciones.

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¿Por qué son importantes las subvenciones?

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writing

Usa 'subvención' en una frase sobre el medio ambiente.

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writing

Traduce: 'The government granted a subsidy'.

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writing

Escribe una ventaja de las subvenciones.

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writing

Escribe una frase sobre una subvención para el alquiler.

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writing

Crea una frase con 'subvención' y 'tecnología'.

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writing

Describe el proceso de pedir una subvención en tres pasos.

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writing

Escribe una frase sobre una subvención para viajar.

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writing

Crea una frase con 'subvención' y 'ayuntamiento'.

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writing

Escribe una frase sobre una subvención para libros.

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writing

Traduce: 'The grant was rejected'.

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writing

Escribe una frase sobre la falta de subvenciones.

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writing

Crea una frase con 'subvención' y 'arte'.

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writing

Traduce: 'We need more subsidies'.

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writing

Escribe una frase sobre una subvención para estudiar idiomas.

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writing

Crea una frase con 'subvención' y 'deporte'.

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writing

Traduce: 'The subsidy covers all costs'.

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writing

Escribe una frase sobre una subvención para la paz.

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writing

Crea una frase con 'subvención' y 'agricultura'.

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writing

Traduce: 'The company received a grant'.

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writing

Crea una frase con 'subvención' y 'pobreza'.

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/ 178 correct

Perfect score!

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