Spanish · Food & Drink
"Tip" in Spanish: propina
la propina
A tip is la propina (proh-PEE-nah), a feminine noun: dejar propina, la propina. Customs vary by country, so watch what locals do with la propina.
Paying the check
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How to pronounce propina
Say it
proh-PEE-nah
/pɾoˈpi.na/
proh-PEE-nah, stress on PEE. Keep each syllable clear. The r in propina is a single tap.
"Tip" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la propina | tip (gratuity) Money left for service. | Money left for service. |
| dejar propina | to leave a tip Common verb phrase. | Common verb phrase. |
| sin propina | without a tip When service charge is already included—or you are not tipping. | When service charge is already included—or you are not tipping. |
| la propina incluida | tip included Check the bill for a service line. | Check the bill for a service line. |
How to use propina in real life
- 1Paying the check
¿Dejamos propina en efectivo?
Shall we leave a tip in cash?
Cash propina is often easiest for staff.
- 2Reading the bill
La propina ya está incluida.
The tip is already included.
Look for propina or servicio on the receipt.
- 3With a friend
Yo dejo la propina esta vez.
I'll leave the tip this time.
Sharing who covers la propina.
Mistakes English speakers make with propina
Incorrect: El propina es grande.
Correct: La propina es grande.
Propina is feminine: la propina.
Incorrect: Dejo un tip en la mesa.
Correct: Dejo una propina en la mesa.
Use propina, not English tip.
Good to know
Propina means a service tip. How much people leave for propina changes by country and place type. If unsure, ask ¿la propina está incluida?
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Settling the tip after dinner
ChatPal
¿Dejamos propina aparte?
Shall we leave a tip separately?
You
Sí. Una propina justa está bien.
Yes. A fair tip is fine.
ChatPal
Mira si la propina ya viene incluida.
Check whether the tip is already included.
You
No, no viene.
No, it doesn't.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Tip" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Tip" in Spanish
Is propina masculine or feminine?
Feminine: la propina, una propina pequeña.
How do I say leave a tip?
Dejar propina.
How do I ask if tip is included?
¿La propina está incluida?
Is tipping the same everywhere?
No. Propina customs vary; watch the bill and local habits.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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