Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Bills in Spanish
Cuentas · noun · KWEHN-tahs
The English word 'bills' has multiple Spanish translations depending on context. For bills you pay (utilities, rent), use 'cuentas' or 'facturas.' For paper money, the word is 'billetes.' This distinction is essential because using the wrong term can cause confusion in financial conversations.
Cuentas is pronounced KWEHN-tahs. Facturas is fahk-TOO-rahs. Billetes is bee-YEH-tehs.
Tengo que pagar las cuentas antes del fin de mes.
I have to pay the bills before the end of the month.
bills in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for bills, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| cuentas | bills | KWEHN-tahs | Default, widely understood |
| facturas | bills | utility bills, invoices | |
| billetes | bills | paper money / banknotes |
How Native Speakers Use Cuentas
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Paying bills
Las cuentas de la luz y el agua llegan cada mes.
The electricity and water bills arrive every month.
Cuentas is the everyday term for household bills.
Invoice context
El plomero me dio la factura por la reparación.
The plumber gave me the bill for the repair.
Factura is used for formal invoices and service bills.
Paper money
Solo tengo billetes grandes; ¿tienes cambio?
I only have large bills; do you have change?
Billetes refers to paper currency, not bills you owe.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Cuentas
Wrong translation
Incorrect: Necesito pagar mis billetes de electricidad.
Correct: Necesito pagar mis cuentas de electricidad.
Billetes means banknotes or paper money, not utility bills. Use 'cuentas' or 'facturas' for bills you owe.
Mixing up cuenta meanings
Incorrect: Dame la cuenta. (expecting paper money)
Correct: Dame los billetes. / Dame la cuenta del restaurante.
La cuenta at a restaurant means the check or tab. For physical paper money, use 'billetes.'
Lock in bills Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Cuentas used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using cuentas in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Tengo que pagar las cuentas antes del fin de mes. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About bills in Spanish
- How do you know which Spanish word for 'bills' to use?
- Context determines the choice — cuentas or facturas for bills you need to pay (utilities, services), and billetes for physical paper money or banknotes.
- What is the difference between cuenta and factura?
- Cuenta is the more informal, everyday word for a bill or tab, while factura is the formal term used for official invoices that may include tax information and business details.
- How do you say 'pay the bills' in Spanish?
- The standard phrase is 'pagar las cuentas' in everyday conversation, or 'pagar las facturas' in more formal or business-related contexts.