gravar

to tax; to levy

verb grah-BAHR Rare

Also means

to record (audio/video)

Usage Note

Gravar means to impose a tax or charge on something, and is distinct from grabar (to record or engrave) — a common spelling confusion for learners. Using the wrong form can change the meaning entirely: El gobierno grava las importaciones (taxes imports) vs. graba la canción (records the song).

Examples

"El Estado grava los beneficios empresariales."

Natural Translation

The state taxes corporate profits.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Ser vs. Estar: When to Use Each in Spanish

Ser vs estar made simple: how you feel and where you are use estar, everything else uses ser. Master the rule, the exceptions, and the traps that flip meaning.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

El or La? Spanish Noun Gender Rules Made Simple

El or la? Spanish noun gender is ~99% readable off the word's ending. Learn the o/a defaults, LONERS, feminine endings, and the handful of rebels to memorize.

June 3, 2026 7 min read

SpanishNow

How to Say "You" in Spanish: Tú, Usted, Vos & Vosotros

Spanish has five words for "you": tú, usted, vos, vosotros, and ustedes. Learn which to use by who you're talking to and where — plus the verb endings.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spain vs Latin American Spanish: Key Differences

Spain and Latin American Spanish are fully mutually intelligible. Compare vosotros vs ustedes, coche vs carro, the 'th' sound, and learn which one to study.

June 9, 2026 6 min read