SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to At The Bank

Spanish Phrase

¿Se cobra por las transferencias?

/se ˈko.βɾa poɾ las tɾan.feˈɾen.sjas/
Meaning"Is there a charge for transfers?"
💡

Meaning

This question asks whether a fee is applied to money transfers. It is commonly used when a customer wants to know if the bank or service will charge a commission for sending money from one account to another.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase at a bank branch, in a customer‑service chat, or when calling a financial institution to clarify the cost of transferring funds. It works both in formal settings (talking to a teller) and informal ones (asking a friend about an app’s fees).

✦Grammar Breakdown

¿Secobraporlastransferencias?

1

Impersonal se

The pronoun 'se' creates an impersonal construction, equivalent to 'one' or 'they' in English, making the verb passive without a specific subject.

2

cobrar (present)

Third‑person singular present of 'cobrar' meaning 'to charge' or 'to collect a fee'.

3

por + noun

The preposition 'por' introduces the cause or reason, here indicating the thing for which a fee might be charged.

4

las transferencias

Plural definite article + noun; refers to bank transfers or money transfers.

🗨In Conversation

A

¿Se cobra por las transferencias?

Is there a fee for transfers?

Sí, la comisión es del 0,5 % del monto transferido.

Yes, the commission is 0.5 % of the transferred amount.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • ¿Cobras por las transferencias?

    Using second‑person singular changes the subject; the impersonal construction requires 'se cobra'.

  • ¿Se cobran por las transferencias?

    Plural verb would imply a specific group is charging, which is less natural for a general inquiry.

  • ¿Por las transferencias se cobra?

    Word order is awkward; keep the impersonal 'se cobra' before the prepositional phrase.

↔Alternatives

  • ¿Hay algún cargo por las transferencias?

    Is there any charge for transfers?

  • ¿Se paga una comisión por transferir dinero?

    Do you pay a commission for transferring money?

  • ¿Cuál es la tarifa de las transferencias?

    What is the transfer fee?

es

Cultural Tip

In many Spanish‑speaking countries banks differentiate between domestic and international transfers, and the fee can vary widely. When speaking with bank staff, use a polite register (e.g., 'disculpe' before the question) to show respect. Also, note that some mobile apps advertise 'transferencias gratuitas' but may hide costs in exchange rates.