Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Bank in Spanish
Banco · noun · BAHN-koh
The word 'banco' means both a financial bank and a bench for sitting. For the edge of a river, 'orilla' or 'ribera' is used instead. Context easily distinguishes between the financial institution and the seating meanings.
Pronounced BAHN-koh with stress on the first syllable. It is a masculine noun in all meanings.
Necesito ir al banco a depositar un cheque esta tarde.
I need to go to the bank to deposit a check this afternoon.
Bank in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for bank, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| banco | bank | BAHN-koh | Default, widely understood |
| orilla | bank | river bank | |
| ribera | bank | river bank/shore |
How Native Speakers Use Banco
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Financial transaction
El banco me aprobó el préstamo para comprar la casa.
The bank approved my loan to buy the house.
Banking and financial services.
River geography
Hicimos un picnic en la orilla del río.
We had a picnic on the bank of the river.
Using orilla for the river bank.
Park bench
Nos sentamos en un banco del parque a conversar.
We sat on a park bench to talk.
Banco meaning bench in a public space.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Banco
Using banco for river bank
Incorrect: Pescábamos en el banco del río.
Correct: Pescábamos en la orilla del río.
For the edge of a river or body of water, 'orilla' or 'ribera' is correct; 'banco' only refers to financial institutions or benches.
Confusing banco with banca
Incorrect: Voy a la banca a sacar dinero.
Correct: Voy al banco a sacar dinero.
'La banca' refers to the banking industry as a whole or a gambling bank, not the physical institution where you go to do transactions.
Lock in Bank Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Banco used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Bank in Spanish
- Does banco mean both bank and bench?
- The word 'banco' carries both meanings — the financial institution and a bench for sitting — with the dual meaning traced back to Italian merchants who conducted business on benches (banchi) in medieval marketplaces.
- How do I say 'bank account' in Spanish?
- A bank account is 'cuenta bancaria' or 'cuenta de banco,' with 'cuenta bancaria' being the formal standard used on official documents and 'cuenta de banco' being more conversational.
- What is the difference between banco, orilla, and ribera?
- For river edges, 'orilla' is the immediate water's edge where land meets water, 'ribera' is the broader area alongside a river (riverside), and 'banco' is never used for this geographic meaning in Spanish.