Inklingo

How to Say "deficit" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “deficit” is “déficit” — use 'déficit' when referring to a general imbalance where expenses exceed income, most commonly in economic or trade contexts.

English → Spanish

déficit

DEH-fee-seetˈdefisit

nounB2formal
Use 'déficit' when referring to a general imbalance where expenses exceed income, most commonly in economic or trade contexts.
A piggy bank with a single small coin inside, sitting next to a pile of unpaid paper bills.

Examples

El país tiene un gran déficit comercial este año.

The country has a large trade deficit this year.

Existe un déficit de médicos en las zonas rurales.

There is a shortage of doctors in rural areas.

El niño fue diagnosticado con déficit de atención.

The child was diagnosed with attention deficit.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in 't', which is rare in Spanish, this word is masculine. Always use 'el' or 'un'.

The Written Accent

This word is an 'esdrújula,' meaning the emphasis is on the third-to-last syllable. In Spanish, these words always have a written accent mark.

Missing the Accent

Mistake: “deficit”

Correction: déficit (The accent mark is required to show the stress is on the first syllable).

Wrong Gender

Mistake: “la déficit”

Correction: el déficit (Many words ending in consonants are masculine in Spanish).

agujero

ah-goo-HEH-roha.ɣuˈxe.ɾo

nounB1informal
Use 'agujero' to describe a significant financial shortfall or gap, often implying a problem that needs to be filled.
A red ceramic piggy bank standing empty, with a visible crack in its side from which a few coins have fallen onto the ground.

Examples

Las nuevas cuentas muestran un agujero fiscal de tres millones de dólares.

The new accounts show a fiscal deficit of three million dollars.

Intentamos tapar el agujero de conocimiento con cursos intensivos.

We tried to fill the knowledge gap with intensive courses.

Figurative Use

Just like in English where you can have a 'hole' in your budget, 'agujero' is used figuratively to mean a severe financial problem or a significant missing amount.

descubierto

des-koo-BYER-tohdeskuˈβjeɾto

nounB2
Choose 'descubierto' specifically for a negative bank balance, meaning you have spent more money than you have in your account (an overdraft).
A simple brown leather wallet lying open and empty on a table, with a small, stylized grey rain cloud floating directly above it, symbolizing negative funds or debt.

Examples

El banco me avisó que tengo un descubierto de 50 euros.

The bank notified me that I have an overdraft of 50 euros.

Tener un descubierto puede generar altos intereses.

Having an overdraft can generate high interest.

Using the Term

This noun is almost always used in banking contexts to mean that you have spent more money than you have in your account.

hoyo

OH-yohˈo.ʝo

nounB2informal
Use 'hoyo' informally to mean a deep financial hole or shortage, emphasizing a difficult and precarious financial situation.
A small, empty, overturned wallet with a single coin rolling away, symbolizing lack of money.

Examples

La empresa está en un hoyo financiero muy profundo.

The company is in a very deep financial hole (deficit).

Intentamos salir del hoyo después de la crisis.

We tried to get out of the mess/hole after the crisis.

Figurative Use

This meaning uses 'hoyo' metaphorically, comparing a bad situation, especially one related to money, to being physically trapped in a deep pit.

Déficit vs. Agujero

Learners often confuse 'déficit' and 'agujero'. Remember that 'déficit' is the standard, more formal term for an economic or trade imbalance. 'Agujero' is more informal and implies a more problematic, gaping financial hole.

Related Translations

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