Inklingo
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depósito

/deh-POH-see-toh (stress on 'po')/

deposit

A hand dropping a stack of colorful paper money into the slot of a sturdy, cartoonish bank vault.

Depósito as a financial deposit, like money placed in a bank.

depósito(noun)

mA2

deposit

?

money in a bank

Also:

payment

?

initial payment or down payment

📝 In Action

Hice un depósito de cien euros en mi cuenta.

A2

I made a deposit of one hundred euros into my account.

Necesitas un depósito para reservar el apartamento.

B1

You need a down payment (deposit) to reserve the apartment.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ingreso (income, deposit)
  • anticipo (advance payment)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • hacer un depósito – to make a deposit
  • depósito bancario – bank deposit

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun Rule

Even though it ends in '-o', remember 'depósito' is always masculine, so use 'el' or 'un' before it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: "Using 'depositar' (the verb) when you need the noun: 'Voy a depósito cien euros.'"

Correction: Use the verb: 'Voy a depositar cien euros.' Or use the noun correctly: 'Voy a hacer un depósito de cien euros.'

⭐ Usage Tips

Quick Banking Phrase

If you are at the bank and want to deposit money, simply say: 'Quiero hacer un depósito, por favor.'

A brightly lit, rectangular storage room containing neatly stacked cardboard boxes and a few distinct, simple items like a bicycle and a rolled-up rug.

Depósito meaning a storage room or facility.

depósito(noun)

mA2

storage room

?

a place to keep things

Also:

tank

?

for liquids or fuel

,

reservoir

?

for water

,

warehouse

?

large commercial storage

📝 In Action

Dejamos las cajas viejas en el depósito de la escuela.

A2

We left the old boxes in the school's storage room.

El coche tiene un depósito de gasolina muy pequeño.

B1

The car has a very small gas tank.

Tuvieron que revisar el depósito de agua de la ciudad.

B2

They had to check the city's water reservoir.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • almacén (warehouse, store)
  • trastero (junk room, storage area (smaller))
  • cisterna (cistern, tank)

Common Collocations

  • depósito de combustible – fuel tank
  • depósito municipal – municipal warehouse (often for impounded vehicles)

💡 Grammar Points

Using Prepositions

To say something is 'in' the storage room, use 'en el depósito' (in the deposit), not 'en depósito' (in storage/custody).

⭐ Usage Tips

Storage vs. Warehouse

'Depósito' usually refers to a smaller storage room or a liquid tank. Use 'almacén' for a large commercial warehouse.

A cross-section view of a clear glass jar containing water, showing distinct, separate layers of fine, settled sand and mud at the very bottom.

Depósito referring to natural sediment or material that settles and is left behind.

depósito(noun)

mB2

sediment

?

natural material left behind

Also:

residue

?

leftovers from a chemical reaction

,

accumulation

?

geological buildup

📝 In Action

El análisis mostró depósitos de calcio en el agua.

B2

The analysis showed calcium deposits in the water.

Los geólogos estudiaron los depósitos de arena en la costa.

C1

The geologists studied the sand deposits on the coast.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sedimento (sediment)
  • residuo (residue)

Common Collocations

  • depósitos minerales – mineral deposits
  • depósito de grasa – fat deposit (medical)

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Contexts

This meaning is typically encountered when reading scientific articles, medical reports, or discussing geology.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: depósito

Question 1 of 2

Which meaning of 'depósito' is used in the sentence: 'El banco exige un depósito mínimo para abrir la cuenta.'

📚 More Resources

Word Family

depositar(to deposit (verb)) - verb
depositario(depositary, custodian) - noun
depositado(deposited (adjective)) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if 'depósito' means money or a place?

Look at the words around it. If you see 'banco' (bank), 'cuenta' (account), or 'dinero' (money), it means the financial action. If you see 'llaves' (keys), 'cajas' (boxes), or 'combustible' (fuel), it means the physical storage place or container.

Is 'depósito' the same as 'almacén'?

They are similar synonyms for 'storage.' 'Almacén' generally implies a larger commercial warehouse or storehouse. 'Depósito' can be a small closet, a gas tank, or a large reservoir, making it more versatile.