Inklingo
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descuento

/des-KUEN-toh/

discount

A bright red apple resting on a small green pedestal, next to a large yellow downward-pointing arrow, symbolizing a price discount.

This illustration shows a descuento (discount) through the visual metaphor of a reduced price indicated by a downward arrow.

descuento(noun)

mA1

discount

?

price reduction

,

sale

?

store event

Also:

deal

?

a good price

,

mark-down

?

reduced price

📝 In Action

¿Hay algún descuento si pago en efectivo?

A1

Is there a discount if I pay in cash?

Conseguimos un descuento del 20% en todos los zapatos.

A2

We got a 20% discount on all the shoes.

¡Qué buen descuento! Voy a comprar dos.

A1

What a great deal! I'm going to buy two.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • rebaja (reduction, sale)
  • oferta (offer, deal)

Common Collocations

  • hacer un descuento – to give a discount
  • descuento especial – special discount
  • descuento por volumen – bulk discount

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun Rule

Since 'descuento' ends in 'o', it is a masculine word. Always use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it: 'el descuento'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Descontar' as a Noun

Mistake: "Saying 'Necesito un descontar' (I need a to discount)."

Correction: The noun form is 'descuento' (discount). The verb is 'descontar' (to deduct/discount). Use 'Necesito un descuento'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Asking for a Deal

A very useful phrase in shops is '¿Me puede hacer un descuento?' (Can you give me a discount?).

A mechanical claw is lifting a small group of gold coins away from a larger stack of coins on a wooden table, symbolizing a deduction from a total amount.

A descuento can also mean a deduction, like money being subtracted from a paycheck, visualized here by coins being removed from a main stack.

descuento(noun)

mB2

deduction

?

from wages or taxes

Also:

cash advance

?

banking term for discounting a bill

📝 In Action

Después del descuento de impuestos, su sueldo neto fue depositado.

B2

After the tax deduction, his net salary was deposited.

El banco aplica un descuento a la factura antes de pagarla.

C1

The bank applies a deduction to the invoice before paying it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • retención (withholding)
  • deducción (deduction)

Common Collocations

  • descuento en nómina – payroll deduction

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Context

In financial documents, 'descuento' is the standard term for any amount formally taken out of a total, such as taxes or insurance payments.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: descuento

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'descuento' in the context of shopping?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

descontar(to discount, to deduct) - verb
descontado(discounted, taken for granted) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'descuento' a noun or a verb?

It is most commonly used as a masculine noun meaning 'discount' or 'deduction.' However, it is also the 'yo' form of the verb 'descontar' (I deduct/discount), so context is key. If you see 'el descuento' or 'un descuento,' it is the noun.

How do I say 'big discount'?

You can say 'un gran descuento' or, more commonly, 'un descuento grande' or 'un descuento considerable' (a considerable discount).