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saldar

sal-darsalˈdaɾ

“saldar” means “to pay off” in Spanish (debts or accounts).

to pay off, to settle

Also: to liquidate, to conclude
VerbB1regular ar
Spain
A hand placing a final coin into a large ceramic piggy bank to signify settling a debt.
gerundsaldando
past Participlesaldado
infinitivesaldar

📝 In Action

Necesito saldar mi deuda con el banco este mes.

B1

I need to pay off my debt with the bank this month.

La tienda va a saldar toda la ropa de verano.

B1

The store is going to sell off all the summer clothes.

El equipo saldó el encuentro con una victoria.

B2

The team settled the match with a victory.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • adeudar (to owe)
  • endeudarse (to get into debt)

Common Collocations

  • saldar una deuda – to settle a debt
  • saldar cuentas – to settle accounts (can be literal or figurative)
  • saldar con una victoria – to end with a victory

Idioms & Expressions

  • saldar cuentas pendientes – to resolve old issues or get revenge

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yosaldara
túsaldaras
él/ella/ustedsaldara
nosotrossaldáramos
vosotrossaldarais
ellos/ellas/ustedessaldaran

Present Subjunctive

yosalde
túsaldes
él/ella/ustedsalde
nosotrossaldemos
vosotrossaldéis
ellos/ellas/ustedessalden

Indicative

Preterite

yosaldé
túsaldaste
él/ella/ustedsaldó
nosotrossaldamos
vosotrossaldasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedessaldaron

Imperfect

yosaldaba
túsaldabas
él/ella/ustedsaldaba
nosotrossaldábamos
vosotrossaldabais
ellos/ellas/ustedessaldaban

Present

yosaldo
túsaldas
él/ella/ustedsalda
nosotrossaldamos
vosotrossaldáis
ellos/ellas/ustedessaldan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "saldar" in Spanish:

to conclude→to liquidate→to settle→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: saldar

Question 1 of 3

If you 'saldar una deuda,' what are you doing?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
saldo(balance/remainder) — Noun
saldado(paid off/settled) — Adjective
liquidación(liquidation/sale) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish word 'saldo' (balance), which comes from the Italian 'saldo,' originally from the Latin 'solidus' meaning 'solid' or 'whole.' The idea is to make the account whole or solid.

First recorded: 17th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: solidFrench: solder

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'saldar' the same as 'pagar'?

Not exactly. 'Pagar' is generic (to pay), while 'saldar' specifically implies completing a payment so that the debt is fully cleared.

Can I use 'saldar' for revenge?

Yes, 'saldar cuentas' is a common idiom meaning to settle a score or old grudge with someone.

Is 'saldar' formal?

It is slightly more formal than 'pagar,' but it is used every day in banking and news.