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"Cobrar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to charge for", and "abonar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to fertilize". Learn more about the difference between "cobrar" and "abonar" below.
cobrar(
koh
-
brahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to charge for
¿A cuánto cobran el corte de cabello en ese salón?How much do they charge for a haircut in that salon?
b. to collect
Ojalá ya tengas el dinero, porque mañana vienen a cobrártelo.I hope you already have the money, because tomorrow they're coming to collect it.
3. (to acquire)
a. to fetch
El husky de mis vecinos cobra las pelotas del campo de béisbol.My neighbor's husky fetches balls from the baseball field.
6. (decision by a referee) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to call (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Perdimos porque el árbitro no cobró dos penales.We lost because the referee didn't call two penalties.
b. to call for
El director técnico le pidió al árbitro que cobrara saque de banda y anulara el gol.The coach asked the referee to call for a foul throw-in and disallow the goal.
c. to blow for (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El árbitro cobró un penal pero el línea no estuvo de acuerdo.The referee blew for a penalty but the linesman disagreed.
7. (to take a shot) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
10. (colloquial) (to get a beating)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to pay
Cuando te atrape, vas a cobrar por romperme el celular.When I catch you, you're going to pay for breaking my cell phone.
cobrarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
abonar(
ah
-
boh
-
nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to fertilize (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
El jardinero abonó y regó el césped.The gardener fertilized and watered the lawn.
b. to fertilise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Aboné el jardín con productos químicos sintéticos.I fertilised the garden with synthetic chemicals.
2. (finance)
3. (to support)
a. to lend weight to
Las pruebas abonan la teoría del Big Bang.The evidence lends weight to the Big Bang theory.
b. to lend credence to
Su declaración es errada y no abona tu reclamo.Her statement is inaccurate and doesn't lend credence to your claim.
abonarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
4. (to sign up)
a. to subscribe
No me aboné al cable porque nunca miro televisión.I didn't subscribe to cable because I never watch television.
b. to buy a season ticket for
Me aboné al ballet con un 20% de descuento.I bought a season ticket for the ballet with a 20% discount.
