Inklingo

How to Say "debt" in Spanish

English → Spanish

deuda

DEY-dahˈdeu̯.ða

nounA1general
Use 'deuda' for any general instance of owing money, whether personal, financial, or even a moral obligation.
A small cartoon bear is chained to a massive, heavy iron ball, symbolizing the burden of debt.

Examples

Tengo una gran deuda con el banco.

I have a big debt with the bank.

Necesito pagar mis deudas antes de fin de mes.

I need to pay my debts before the end of the month.

La deuda nacional es un problema serio para el país.

The national debt is a serious problem for the country.

Feminine Noun

Remember that 'deuda' is always feminine, so you must use 'la deuda' and 'una deuda'.

Using the wrong verb for 'to owe'

Mistake: “Hacer una deuda (To make a debt)”

Correction: The correct verb is 'tener una deuda' (to have a debt) or 'deber dinero' (to owe money). 'Contraer una deuda' means to get into debt.

pasivo

pah-SEE-bohpaˈsiβo

nounB2business/financial
Use 'pasivo' specifically when referring to the liabilities or financial obligations of a company or organization in an accounting context.
A heavy, red-colored sack with a minus sign on it, weighing down one side of a balance scale.

Examples

El pasivo de la empresa ha crecido mucho este trimestre.

The company's liabilities have grown a lot this quarter.

Debemos restar los pasivos de los activos.

We must subtract the liabilities from the assets.

Tiene un pasivo exigible a corto plazo.

He has a short-term debt that needs to be paid.

Always Masculine as a Noun

When talking about money and debts in accounting, the word is always 'el pasivo', even if the debt is for a large group.

Passive vs. Debt

Mistake: “Thinking 'pasivo' as a noun means a 'passive person'.”

Correction: In Spanish, if you use 'el pasivo' as a noun, people will think you are talking about accounting. To describe a person, use it as an adjective: 'Él es muy pasivo'.

General vs. Business Debt

The most common mistake is using 'deuda' when a company's financial obligations are specifically being discussed. Remember, 'pasivo' is the technical term for corporate liabilities in accounting.

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