What it's NOT
quota does NOT translate to cuota (de pago).
To say "cuota (de pago)" in English, use fee / installment.
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False cognate · False friend
quota
Does NOT mean cuota (de pago)
It means an assigned limit or target
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
quota means an assigned limit or target.
Why it's confused
Spanish "cuota" is a periodic payment or the proportional share owed by someone. English "quota" is a limit or target assigned to a group or individual. The sense of a limit is stronger in English.
How it's pronounced
quotaKUÓU-ta
Tap the button to hear the real pronunciation.
Examples of correct use
English
We reached our sales quota.
Spanish
Alcanzamos nuestra meta de ventas.
English
There's a quota on imports.
Spanish
Hay un cupo para las importaciones.
A trick to remember it
Quota = an assigned limit/target. A payment installment (Spanish "cuota") = fee/installment.
Mini quiz
"A sales quota" is...
Frequently asked questions
What does "quota" mean in English?
"Quota" means "an assigned limit or target". It looks a lot like "cuota", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "cuota" in English?
To say "cuota" in English, use "fee / installment". If you use "quota" instead, you would actually be saying "an assigned limit or target".
Do "quota" and "cuota" mean the same thing?
Spanish "cuota" is a periodic payment or the proportional share owed by someone. English "quota" is a limit or target assigned to a group or individual. The sense of a limit is stronger in English.
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
Library, embarrassed, actually... the full list of words that look the same but mean something different.
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