vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Por su cuenta" is a phrase which is often translated as "on his own", and "riesgo" is a noun which is often translated as "risk". Learn more about the difference between "por su cuenta" and "riesgo" below.
por su cuenta(
pohr
 
soo
 
kwehn
-
tah
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. on his own (masculine)
¿Su hijo todavía va de vacaciones con ustedes? - No, él hace ya dos años que se va por su cuenta.Does your son still go on vacation with you? - No, he's been going on his own for two years now.
b. on her own (feminine)
Ana dijo que no la esperáramos para ir al restaurante, que ya iría luego ella por su cuenta.Ana said not to wait for her to go to the restaurant, that she'd go later on her own.
2.
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
(formal)
(alone; singular)
a. on your own
Puede visitar la ciudad con el grupo o hacerlo por su cuenta.You can visit the city with the group or do it on your own.
a. of his own accord (masculine)
Hoy mi hijo ha puesto la mesa por su cuenta, sin que yo se lo pidiera. Algo trama.My son set the table today of his own accord, without me asking him to do it. He's up to something.
b. of her own accord (feminine)
El profesor no le dijo lo que tenía que dibujar, lo hizo la niña por su cuenta. - ¡Tan pequeña y qué imaginación!The teacher didn't tell her what she had to draw. She did it of her own accord. - What an imagination for one so young!
4.
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
(formal)
(on your own initiative; singular)
a. of your own accord
No pienso pagarle porque nadie le pidió que lo hiciera, lo hizo usted por su cuenta.I have no intention of paying you because no one asked you to do it. You did it of your own accord.
a. on him (masculine)
Carlos dijo que, como es su cumpleaños, la comida corre por su cuenta.Carlos said that, since it's his birthday, lunch is on him.
b. on her (feminine)
Mamá dice que el cine corre por su cuenta. - Somos muchos, le va a salir carísimo.Mom says the cinema is on her. - There are a lot of us; it's going to cost her a small fortune.
6.
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
(formal)
(out of your own pocket; singular)
a. on you
Tenga presente que los gastos de devolución correrán por su cuenta.Keep in mind that the return costs will be on you.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Creí que tu hermano trabajaba en una empresa. - No, trabaja por su cuenta.I thought your brother worked for a company. - No, he's self-employed.
Paula hace ya dos años que trabaja por su cuenta.Paula has been self-employed for two years now.
8.
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
(formal)
(for yourself; singular)
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
¿Trabaja usted por su cuenta o por cuenta ajena?Are you self-employed or an employee?
Usted dejó el trabajo y se estableció por su cuenta, ¿verdad?You left your job and became self-employed, didn't you?
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
el riesgo(
rryehs
-
goh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. risk
Si el globo está bien atado, no hay riesgo de fuga.If the balloon is properly tied, there is no risk of leaking.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.