Spanish Phrase
¿Cuánto dejo de propina?
Meaning
The speaker is asking for guidance on the amount of money they should leave as a tip after receiving a service, such as at a restaurant or a taxi. It’s a polite way to inquire about local tipping norms.
When to use
Use this question when you’re unsure about the customary tip percentage in a Spanish‑speaking country, whether you’re at a café, a restaurant, a hotel, or even after a ride‑share service.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Cuántodejodepropina?
¿Cuánto?
Interrogative adverb meaning 'how much', used to ask about quantity or amount.
dejo
First‑person singular present of dejar ‘to leave, to give’. In questions it asks about the speaker’s action.
de
Preposition that links the verb dejar with the noun propina, indicating what is being left.
propina
Feminine noun meaning ‘tip’ (the money given for service).
🗨In Conversation
¿Cuánto dejo de propina?
How much tip should I leave?
Depende del servicio, pero normalmente entre el 10 y el 15 por ciento.
It depends on the service, but usually between 10 and 15 percent.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Cuánto dejo la propina?
‘la propina’ sounds like you’re referring to a specific tip already decided; the natural construction uses ‘de’ to ask about the amount to leave.
¿Cuánto dejo de la propina?
The extra article ‘la’ after ‘de’ is redundant and ungrammatical in this context.
¿Cuánto dejo propina?
Missing the preposition ‘de’; Spanish requires ‘de propina’ to indicate what is being left.
↔Alternatives
¿Cuánta propina debo dejar?
How much tip should I give?
¿Cuánto debería dejar de propina?
How much should I leave as a tip?
¿Qué cantidad de propina es adecuada?
What amount of tip is appropriate?
Cultural Tip
Tipping customs vary across the Spanish‑speaking world. In Spain, a small “servicio” (5‑10 %) is common in restaurants, but it’s not mandatory; you can simply round up the bill. In many Latin American countries, a 10‑15 % tip is the norm, especially in tourist areas. Always check the bill first – some places already include a service charge (often labeled ‘servicio incluido’). When in doubt, ask locals politely, just as you would with this phrase.