Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Win in Spanish: Ganar
Ganar · verb · gah-NAR
The English verb 'win' translates to ganar in Spanish. Ganar is a regular -ar verb that covers winning a game, earning money, or gaining something. It is one of the most versatile verbs in Spanish.
Pronounce ganar as gah-NAR, with the stress on the second syllable.
Quiero ganar el partido de fútbol.
I want to win the soccer game.
Win in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for win, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| ganar | win | gah-NAR | Default, widely understood |
| triunfar | win | more literary, 'to triumph' | |
| vencer | win | to defeat or overcome |
How Native Speakers Use Ganar
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Sports victory
Nuestro equipo ganó el campeonato nacional.
Our team won the national championship.
Celebrating a sports achievement.
Earning money
Ella gana un buen sueldo en su nuevo trabajo.
She earns a good salary at her new job.
Discussing someone's income.
Winning a prize
Mi hermano ganó un viaje a Europa en un sorteo.
My brother won a trip to Europe in a raffle.
Sharing exciting news about a prize.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Ganar
False cognate with 'gain'
Incorrect: Necesito winear este juego.
Correct: Necesito ganar este juego.
There is no Spanish verb 'winear.' The correct word is ganar, which covers both 'win' and 'gain.'
Wrong past tense form
Incorrect: Yo ganamos el partido ayer.
Correct: Yo gané el partido ayer.
The first-person preterite of ganar is gané, not ganamos, which is the nosotros form.
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See Ganar used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Win in Spanish
- How do you say 'win' in Spanish?
- The verb 'win' translates to ganar in Spanish, a regular -ar verb used for victories, competitions, and earning.
- Does ganar only mean 'win'?
- Ganar is broader than 'win' in English — it also means 'to earn' (money or respect) and 'to gain' (weight or advantage), making it a highly versatile verb.
- How do you conjugate ganar in the present tense?
- Ganar follows regular -ar conjugation: yo gano, tú ganas, él/ella gana, nosotros ganamos, vosotros ganáis, ellos/ellas ganan.