inversión
“inversión” means “investment” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
investment
Also: expenditure
📝 In Action
Comprar esa casa fue una gran inversión.
A2Buying that house was a great investment.
Necesitamos más inversión extranjera en el país.
B1We need more foreign investment in the country.
Aprender un idioma es una inversión de tiempo valiosa.
B1Learning a language is a valuable investment of time.
reversal
Also: inversion
📝 In Action
Hubo una inversión de los papeles en la película.
B2There was a role reversal in the movie.
La inversión térmica atrapa la contaminación en la ciudad.
C1Thermal inversion traps pollution in the city.
El profesor explicó la inversión del sujeto y el verbo.
B2The teacher explained the inversion of the subject and the verb.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: inversión
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the most common meaning of 'inversión'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'inversio', which comes from 'invertere', meaning 'to turn over' or 'to turn inside out'. The financial meaning developed later as the idea of 'turning' money into something productive.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'inversor' and 'inversionista'?
Both mean 'investor'. 'Inversor' is more common in Spain, while 'inversionista' is the standard term used throughout Latin America.
Can I use 'inversión' for a personal hobby?
Yes! If you spend a lot of time or money on a hobby because you find it rewarding, you can call it an 'inversión de tiempo' or 'inversión personal'.
Is 'inversión' the same as 'inventar'?
No. 'Inversión' comes from 'invertir' (to invest/flip). 'Invención' comes from 'inventar' (to invent). They sound similar but are very different!

