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How to Say "demotion" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “demotion” is “degradación” — use 'degradación' when referring to a loss of rank, status, or position, typically in a professional or military setting..

English → Spanish

degradación

nounC1formal
Use 'degradación' when referring to a loss of rank, status, or position, typically in a professional or military setting.

Examples

El empleado recibió una degradación por su mal desempeño.

The employee received a demotion for his poor performance.

descenso

/des-SEN-so//desˈsenso/

nounB2informal
Use 'descenso' specifically when talking about sports teams moving down to a lower division or league.
A soccer ball sitting alone on a lower, darker field while a bright stadium glows on a hill above it.

Examples

Después de una temporada terrible, el equipo sufrió un descenso.

After a terrible season, the team suffered a relegation.

El equipo está en la zona de descenso.

The team is in the relegation zone.

Evitaron el descenso en el último partido.

They avoided relegation in the last game.

El descenso a segunda división fue muy triste.

The demotion to the second division was very sad.

Sports Context

In a sports context, this word specifically refers to moving down to a lower league or category.

Confusing with 'Promotion'

Mistake: “El equipo ganó el descenso.”

Correction: Teams 'suffer' (sufren) or 'avoid' (evitan) the descenso. You only 'win' (ganas) an 'ascenso'.

Confusing Rank vs. Sports League

The most common mistake is using 'descenso' for any kind of demotion. Remember that 'descenso' is primarily used for sports leagues, while 'degradación' is for loss of rank or status in other contexts.

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