déficit
“déficit” means “deficit” in Spanish (when spending is more than income).
deficit, shortage
Also: gap, deficiency
📝 In Action
El país tiene un gran déficit comercial este año.
B2The country has a large trade deficit this year.
Existe un déficit de médicos en las zonas rurales.
B1There is a shortage of doctors in rural areas.
El niño fue diagnosticado con déficit de atención.
B1The child was diagnosed with attention deficit.
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Words that translate to "déficit" in Spanish:
deficit→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: déficit
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the correct opposite of 'déficit'?
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👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'deficit,' which literally means 'it is lacking' or 'it is wanting.'
First recorded: 18th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it 'los déficit' or 'los déficits'?
Modern Spanish prefers 'los déficits' (adding an 's'), although in the past, some people left it unchanged.
Can I use 'déficit' to say I'm short on cash?
You could, but it sounds very formal—like a bank report. It's more natural to say 'me falta dinero' or 'estoy corto de dinero'.
Why does it have an accent mark?
Because the voice naturally hits the first syllable (DE-fi-cit). In Spanish, when the stress is on the third-to-last syllable, a written accent is always needed.