What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gratuito
Example
La entrada al museo es gratuita los domingos. [gratuito: adjective]
Example
El taller de arte es gratuito para todos los participantes. [gratuito: adjective]
Example
La organización ofrece servicios legales gratuitos a personas de bajos ingresos. [gratuitos: plural noun]
free
Example
The company offers free shipping on all orders over $50. [free: adjective]
Example
I downloaded a free app to help me learn Spanish. [free: adjective]
Example
The concert in the park is free for everyone to attend. [free: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Free is more commonly used than gratuito in everyday language, especially in English-speaking countries. Free is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gratuito is less common and often used in legal or official contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gratuito and free?
Gratuito is typically associated with a more formal tone, while free is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
