Inklingo

How to Say "advance" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “advance” is “avance” — use 'avance' when referring to a literal forward movement or progress, like in a project or a journey.

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avance

ah-VAHN-sayaˈβanse

nounA2general
Use 'avance' when referring to a literal forward movement or progress, like in a project or a journey.
A determined cartoon hiker taking a step forward on a path, looking up toward a flag planted on a hill, symbolizing progress.

Examples

Hemos logrado un gran avance en la investigación.

We have achieved great progress in the research.

Hemos hecho un gran avance en el proyecto esta semana.

We have made great progress on the project this week.

El avance de la tecnología es impresionante.

The advance of technology is impressive.

El ejército ordenó el avance de las tropas.

The army ordered the advance of the troops.

Masculine Noun Rule

Even though this word ends in '-e', it is always masculine, meaning you must use 'el' (el avance) or 'un' (un avance) before it.

Using 'el' vs 'la'

Mistake: “La avance”

Correction: El avance. Remember that 'avance' is masculine, so it always pairs with 'el'.

adelanto

ah-deh-LAHN-toha.ðe.ˈlan.to

nounB1general
Use 'adelanto' specifically for money paid before it's due, most commonly an advance on your salary.
A hand handing a small stack of gold coins to another hand.

Examples

Necesito un adelanto de mi sueldo para pagar la renta.

I need an advance on my salary to pay the rent.

Le pedí un adelanto de sueldo a mi jefe.

I asked my boss for a salary advance.

Tienes que pagar un adelanto para reservar el hotel.

You have to pay a deposit to reserve the hotel.

El banco me dio un adelanto de efectivo.

The bank gave me a cash advance.

Using 'De'

When talking about money, we usually link 'adelanto' to the source using 'de', like 'adelanto de sueldo' (advance OF salary).

Not the same as 'prestamo'

Mistake: “Necesito un adelanto del banco para comprar una casa.”

Correction: Necesito un préstamo del banco.

anticipo

an-tee-SEE-pohanˈtisipo

nounB1general
Use 'anticipo' when you are moving a payment or event to an earlier time, often a down payment or a salary advance.
A hand handing over a small stack of gold coins to another hand.

Examples

Di un anticipo para reservar el apartamento.

I gave a down payment to reserve the apartment.

He pedido un anticipo de mi sueldo para arreglar el coche.

I asked for an advance on my salary to fix the car.

Para reservar el apartamento, hay que pagar un anticipo.

To reserve the apartment, you have to pay a down payment.

El primer capítulo es un anticipo de su nueva novela.

The first chapter is a preview of her new novel.

Gender and Articles

This word is masculine, so always use 'el' or 'un'. Even though it ends in 'o', it never changes to 'anticipa' when referring to money.

Confusing with 'Adelanto'

Mistake: “Using 'anticipo' for every kind of 'early' thing.”

Correction: While very similar, use 'anticipo' mostly for money or formal previews; use 'adelanto' for progress or moving clocks forward.

anticipado

an-tee-see-PAH-dohantiθiˈpaðo

adjectiveB1general
Use 'anticipado' as an adjective to describe something that is done or paid before the expected time, like a payment or a notice.
A person hands a gold coin to a baker across a wooden counter, paying for a loaf of bread that is resting on a shelf behind the baker.

Examples

El vuelo fue confirmado con un pago anticipado.

The flight was confirmed with an advance payment.

Necesitamos un pago anticipado para reservar el hotel.

We need an advance payment to book the hotel.

Te doy las gracias por tu ayuda anticipada.

I thank you in advance for your help.

Su jubilación anticipada sorprendió a todos sus colegas.

His early retirement surprised all of his colleagues.

Matching Genders

Since this is a describing word (adjective), it must match the noun it describes. Use 'anticipado' for masculine words (el pago) and 'anticipada' for feminine words (la reserva).

Placement Matters

In Spanish, describing words usually go after the thing they describe. You say 'pago anticipado' (payment advance) rather than 'advance payment'.

Using 'en' instead of 'por'

Mistake: “Gracias en anticipado.”

Correction: Gracias por anticipado. In Spanish, we use the word 'por' to say 'in advance' when expressing thanks.

señal

nounB2general
Use 'señal' when the advance payment functions as a deposit or a sign of commitment to a purchase or reservation.

Examples

Dejé una señal para asegurar mi cita con el sastre.

I left a deposit to secure my appointment with the tailor.

Advance Payment vs. Progress

The most common mistake is confusing 'avance' (progress) with words for payments made early like 'adelanto', 'anticipo', or 'señal'. Remember, 'avance' refers to forward movement or development, not money.

Related Translations

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