Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Reward in Spanish: Recompensa
Recompensa · noun (feminine) · rreh-kohm-PEHN-sah
Recompensa is the primary Spanish translation for reward, used for compensation given in return for effort, service, or finding something. Premio covers rewards in the sense of prizes, while recompensar is the verb form meaning to reward someone.
rreh-kohm-PEHN-sah
Ofrecen una recompensa por encontrar al perro perdido.
They're offering a reward for finding the lost dog.
Reward in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for reward, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| recompensa | reward | rreh-kohm-PEHN-sah | Default, widely understood |
| premio | reward | prize, award | |
| gratificación | reward | monetary reward, bonus |
How Native Speakers Use Recompensa
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Lost pet poster
Se ofrece recompensa a quien devuelva al gato extraviado.
A reward is offered to whoever returns the missing cat.
Classic lost-and-found reward posting.
Achievement prize
El premio por ganar el concurso fue un viaje a Europa.
The reward for winning the contest was a trip to Europe.
Premio for prizes and competitive rewards.
Verb form
La empresa recompensó a sus empleados con un bono navideño.
The company rewarded its employees with a Christmas bonus.
Recompensar as the verb to reward.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Recompensa
Using recompensa for academic awards
Incorrect: Recibió una recompensa académica por sus notas.
Correct: Recibió un premio académico por sus notas.
Academic and competitive awards use premio — recompensa implies compensation for service or effort, not recognition for excellence.
Confusing recompensar with compensar
Incorrect: Te voy a compensar por encontrar mi cartera. (meaning reward)
Correct: Te voy a recompensar por encontrar mi cartera.
Compensar means to compensate for a loss or damage, while recompensar means to reward for a positive action — the prefix re- makes the difference.
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Common Questions About Reward in Spanish
- How do you say 'reward' in Spanish?
- Use recompensa for rewards offered in exchange for help or service (like finding a lost item). Use premio for prizes won through competition or achievement. The verb to reward is recompensar.
- What is the difference between recompensa and premio?
- Recompensa implies compensation for effort or service — there is an expectation of giving something back. Premio is given for achievement, luck, or winning — it celebrates excellence rather than compensating effort.
- How do you say 'rewarding' as in fulfilling?
- The adjective rewarding in the sense of fulfilling translates as gratificante — una experiencia gratificante means a rewarding experience. It does not use recompensa, which is strictly the noun for material rewards.