Discussing shared expenses in Spanish

The idea

Use dividir el gasto to split an expense, tu parte for your share and antes de pagar for before paying.

Examples

• La factura de la luz llegó a ochenta euros este mes.The electricity bill came to eighty euros this month.
• Como usamos la cocina por igual, podemos dividir ese gasto entre los tres.Since we use the kitchen equally, we can split that expense among the three of us.
• Yo pagué la compra; ¿me podéis enviar vuestra parte mañana?I paid for the groceries; can you send me your share tomorrow?
• El taxi costó veinte euros, pero Ana bajó antes y pagará menos.The taxi cost twenty euros, but Ana got out earlier and will pay less.
• ¿Te parece justo que cada persona aporte según sus ingresos?Do you think it is fair for each person to contribute according to their income?
• Si no estamos de acuerdo, revisemos los recibos antes de decidir.If we disagree, let’s check the receipts before deciding.

Watch out

Do not assume dividir always means equal shares; discuss the basis for the division.

Try it yourself

1. The bill is thirty euros and there are three of us. We can ___ the expense. (split / arrive)

   Show answer or example answer

   dividir

   Dividir fits because the three people are sharing the expense.

2. I paid everything. Can you send me your ___? (share / bill)

   Show answer or example answer

   parte

   Parte refers to the amount the other person owes.

3. I do not have the receipt. Can we check it ___ paying? (before / after)

   Show answer or example answer

   antes

   Antes places the receipt check before payment.

Use it today

Propose how to share a bill and ask when the others can pay.