A small, worried cartoon character is struggling to drag a heavy metal chain connected to a large, imposing pile of generic gold coins, symbolizing the burden of debt.

deudas

DEH-oo-das

nounfA2

debts?money owed,liabilities?accounting/legal term

Also:obligations?general sense of owing something

📝 In Action

Necesito un trabajo para pagar todas mis deudas.

I need a job to pay all my debts.

El banco revisó la lista de deudas pendientes.

The bank reviewed the list of outstanding liabilities.

Tenemos una deuda de gratitud con nuestros padres.

We have a debt of gratitude toward our parents.

Word Connections

Synonyms

obligaciones (obligations)
pasivos (liabilities)

Antonyms

activos (assets)
bienes (wealth/goods)

Common Collocations

pagar deudas – to pay debts
contraer deudas – to incur debts
cancelar deudas – to settle debts

Idioms & Expressions

estar hasta el cuello de deudas – to be heavily in debt (up to one's neck)

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural

This entry uses 'deudas' (plural). If you are referring to a single obligation, use the singular form, 'la deuda'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Deudas' and 'Debes'

Mistake: "Using 'debes' (you owe) when you mean 'deudas' (the things you owe)."

Correction: Remember 'deudas' is the noun (the debt), and 'deber' is the verb (to owe). 'Tengo deudas' (I have debts).

⭐ Usage Tips

Expressing the Action

The most natural verb to use with 'deudas' is 'pagar' (to pay) or 'tener' (to have). Example: 'No quiero tener más deudas'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: deudas

Question 1 of 1

Si alguien dice 'tengo muchas deudas', ¿qué significa?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

deuda(debt (singular)) - noun

deber(to owe) - verb

deudor(debtor) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'deudas' y 'deuda'?

'Deuda' is the singular form (one obligation), and 'deudas' is the plural form (two or more obligations). They are the same word, just different counts.

¿Puedo usar 'deudas' para cosas que no son dinero?

Yes, occasionally. While it usually refers to money, you can use it figuratively, like in the phrase 'una deuda de honor' (a debt of honor) or 'una deuda histórica' (a historical debt).