Inklingo

How to Say "budget" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “budget” is “presupuesto” — use this word when talking about a formal financial plan for spending, like a company's or government's budget.

English → Spanish

presupuesto

preh-soo-PWEHS-tohpɾe.suˈpwes.to

nounB1general
Use this word when talking about a formal financial plan for spending, like a company's or government's budget.
Three stacks of coins of different sizes next to three distinct colored piggy banks, illustrating the concept of allocating funds.

Examples

El gobierno aprobó el nuevo presupuesto nacional.

The government approved the new national budget.

Tenemos que ajustarnos al presupuesto si queremos ahorrar.

We have to stick to the budget if we want to save.

Pedimos un presupuesto al carpintero antes de empezar la obra.

We asked the carpenter for an estimate before starting the work.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in '-o', 'presupuesto' is always masculine. Remember to use 'el' or 'un' before it.

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using the noun 'presupuesto' where the verb 'presuponer' is needed (e.g., *Yo presupuesto que...*).”

Correction: Use the verb 'presuponer' (to assume) or 'creer' (to believe) instead. The noun is only for financial plans or estimates.

presupuestario

pre-soo-pweh-STAH-ryohpɾesupwesˈtaɾjo

adjectiveB2general
Use this adjective to modify nouns that relate to a budget, such as 'budget cuts' (recortes presupuestarios) or 'budget rules' (normas presupuestarias).
A piggy bank sitting next to a small stack of gold coins and a simple paper list.

Examples

El gobierno anunció un nuevo recorte presupuestario.

The government announced a new budget cut.

Debemos seguir las normas presupuestarias de la empresa.

We must follow the company's budgetary rules.

El director presentó el informe sobre el ejercicio presupuestario.

The director presented the report on the fiscal/budget year.

Matching the Ending

This word must match the gender and number of the thing it describes. If you are talking about 'una ley' (a law), you must use 'presupuestaria'. If you talk about 'los gastos' (the expenses), use 'presupuestarios'.

Placement

Like most Spanish describing words, 'presupuestario' almost always comes after the thing it is describing (e.g., 'el control presupuestario').

Confusing Noun and Adjective

Mistake: “Tengo un presupuestario para el viaje.”

Correction: Tengo un presupuesto para el viaje.

posibilidades

poh-see-bee-lee-DAH-desposibiliˈðaðes

nounB2general
Use this word to refer to a person's or family's financial means or resources, essentially their available funds to spend.
A large, heavy wooden chest overflowing with stylized gold coins and colorful precious gems.

Examples

La familia no tiene muchas posibilidades económicas.

The family does not have many financial resources (or means).

Con sus posibilidades, podría comprar un coche nuevo.

With his resources, he could buy a new car.

Context is Key

When used alongside words like 'económicas' (economic) or 'financieras' (financial), 'posibilidades' shifts its meaning from 'chances' to 'available money' or 'wealth'.

dotación

nounC1formal
Use this term specifically when referring to a sum of money allocated or endowed for a particular purpose, like a prize or grant.

Examples

El premio literario tiene una dotación de diez mil euros.

The literary prize has an endowment of ten thousand euros.

Presupuesto vs. Presupuestario

The most common confusion is between 'presupuesto' (noun, the financial plan) and 'presupuestario' (adjective, describing things related to the budget). Remember, you make a 'presupuesto' and have 'recortes presupuestarios'.

Related Translations

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