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deuda

DEY-dah/ˈdeu̯.ða/

“deuda” means “debt” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

debt

Also: loan, liability
NounfA1
A small cartoon bear is chained to a massive, heavy iron ball, symbolizing the burden of debt.

📝 In Action

Tengo una gran deuda con el banco.

A1

I have a big debt with the bank.

Necesito pagar mis deudas antes de fin de mes.

A2

I need to pay my debts before the end of the month.

La deuda nacional es un problema serio para el país.

B1

The national debt is a serious problem for the country.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • obligación (obligation (financial))
  • pasivo (liability)

Antonyms

  • crédito (credit)
  • pago (payment)

Common Collocations

  • contraer una deuda – to take on a debt (to borrow money)
  • saldar la deuda – to settle the debt (to pay it off)
  • estar en deuda – to be in debt

obligation

Also: indebtedness
NounfB2formal
A fox pulls a rabbit up a hill, and the rabbit immediately offers the fox an apple, illustrating a debt of gratitude or obligation.

📝 In Action

Siento una deuda de gratitud hacia mis maestros.

B2

I feel a debt of gratitude toward my teachers.

La vida me ha dado tanto que estoy en deuda con ella.

C1

Life has given me so much that I am indebted to it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • deuda de gratitud – debt of gratitude

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "deuda" in Spanish:

debt→indebtedness→liability→loan→obligation→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: deuda

Question 1 of 2

Which verb is typically used to describe the action of getting into debt?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
deber(to owe; duty) — Verb / Noun
deudor(debtor) — Noun
endeudarse(to go into debt) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
feudaleuda
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word *debita*, which meant 'things owed.' Over time, the internal 'b' was lost in Spanish (a common pattern), giving us 'deuda'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: debitoPortuguese: dívida

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Es 'deuda' masculina o femenina?

'Deuda' is a feminine noun, so you always use 'la deuda' or 'una deuda'.

What is the difference between 'deuda' and 'deber'?

'Deuda' is the noun (the debt itself), while 'deber' is the verb meaning 'to owe' (e.g., 'Debo dinero' - I owe money) or the noun meaning 'duty'.