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expedientes

eks-peh-DYEN-tessekspeˈðjentes

“expedientes” means “files” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

files, records

Also: dossiers, proceedings
NounmB1
A stack of colorful manila folders overflowing with organized papers on a desk.

📝 In Action

Tengo que organizar todos los expedientes de los clientes.

B1

I have to organize all the client files.

El abogado revisó los expedientes antes del juicio.

B2

The lawyer reviewed the case files before the trial.

La policía abrió varios expedientes para investigar el caso.

B2

The police opened several files to investigate the case.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • archivos (archives/files)
  • documentación (documentation)
  • legajos (bundles of papers)

Common Collocations

  • abrir un expediente – to open a file/start a proceeding
  • expediente disciplinario – disciplinary record/action
  • cerrar el expediente – to close the file/case

transcripts

Also: academic records
NounmB2formal
A stack of official-looking paper documents with a gold seal on a blue background.

📝 In Action

La universidad pidió los expedientes académicos de los solicitantes.

B2

The university asked for the applicants' academic transcripts.

Ella tiene uno de los mejores expedientes de su clase.

C1

She has one of the best academic records in her class.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • historial académico (academic history)
  • notas (grades)

Common Collocations

  • expediente académico – academic transcript
  • brillante expediente – brilliant academic record

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: expedientes

Question 1 of 2

If you are applying for a master's degree and they ask for your 'expedientes,' what do they want?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
expediente(file/record (singular)) — Noun
expedir(to issue/dispatch) — Verb
expedición(issuance (of a document) or expedition) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'expediens,' which refers to 'setting free' or 'preparing.' In a legal sense, it evolved to mean the documents prepared to move a case forward.

First recorded: 16th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: expedientFrench: expédient

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'expedientes' ever mean 'expeditions'?

Generally, no. For a journey or scientific trip, use 'expediciones.' 'Expedientes' is almost always about paperwork, files, or legal/academic records.

How do you say 'to file away records'?

You would usually say 'archivar los expedientes.'