Inklingo

How to Say "capital" in Spanish

English → Spanish

activo

ahk-TEE-voh/akˈti.βo/

nounB2economic term
Use 'activo' when referring to the specific assets or financial resources owned by a company or individual, often listed on a balance sheet.
A simple illustration of three stacked gold bars sitting on a cushion, representing a valuable financial asset.

Examples

Los activos de la compañía superan sus deudas.

The company's assets exceed its debts.

Compramos un activo fijo, que es una máquina nueva.

We bought a fixed asset, which is a new machine.

Always Masculine

When used in the financial sense (asset), 'activo' is always a masculine noun, even if it refers to something feminine (like 'una propiedad'). Use 'el activo' or 'los activos'.

fondo

/fon-doh//ˈfondo/

nounB1resources
Use 'fondo' when referring to money or resources available for a specific purpose or project, like raising funds for a cause.
A large, pink ceramic piggy bank sitting on a table, with many gold coins spilling out of the slot on its back.

Examples

Necesitamos recaudar fondos para la nueva biblioteca.

We need to raise funds for the new library.

El gobierno estableció un fondo de emergencia para las víctimas.

The government established an emergency fund for the victims.

Invirtió su dinero en un fondo de pensiones.

He invested his money in a pension fund.

Often Plural: 'Fondos'

When talking about money or financial resources, you'll almost always see this word in its plural form, 'fondos'.

Activo vs. Fondo

Learners often confuse 'activo' and 'fondo' because both relate to money. Remember that 'activo' refers to owned assets, while 'fondo' is money set aside or raised for a specific goal.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.