Inklingo

How to Say "alimony" in Spanish

English → Spanish

mantenimiento

mán-te-ni-mién-to/mante.niˈmjento/

nounB1general
Use 'mantenimiento' when referring to general financial support agreed upon in a divorce settlement or court order, often covering broader living expenses.
A simple storybook illustration depicting one stylized figure extending a small stack of golden coins into the open hand of a second figure, symbolizing financial support.

Examples

El acuerdo de divorcio incluye una cuota de mantenimiento.

The divorce agreement includes an alimony payment.

El tribunal fijó una pensión de mantenimiento para los menores.

The court set a child support payment for the minors.

Luchamos por el mantenimiento económico de la familia.

We fight for the financial sustenance of the family.

Legal Context

When used in the sense of financial support, 'mantenimiento' often appears alongside words like 'pensión' (payment) or 'cuota' (quota).

pensión

nounC1legal
Use 'pensión' specifically when the payment is designated as 'pensión alimenticia' (child support or spousal support), emphasizing it's a form of sustenance.

Examples

El padre debe pagar una pensión alimenticia mensual.

The father must pay a monthly child support payment.

alimento

ah-lee-MEN-toh/a.liˈmen.to/

nounC1legal
Use 'alimento' when the context strongly emphasizes the provision of sustenance or basic necessities, often for children, as determined by a judge.
A close-up view of one hand gently placing a single gold coin into the open palm of a second hand, symbolizing financial support.

Examples

El juez dictaminó una cuota de alimento mensual para los hijos.

The judge ruled a monthly maintenance payment for the children.

La obligación de alimento cesa cuando el beneficiario encuentra empleo.

The obligation of alimony/maintenance ceases when the beneficiary finds employment.

Legal Term

This meaning is almost always used in a legal or bureaucratic setting, often appearing in the phrase 'pensión de alimentos' (maintenance payment).

Confusing 'mantenimiento' and 'pensión'

Learners often confuse 'mantenimiento' and 'pensión' because both refer to post-divorce financial support. Remember that 'mantenimiento' is a broader term for agreed-upon support, while 'pensión' (especially 'pensión alimenticia') is more specific to sustenance payments, often for children.

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