Inklingo

How to Say "down payment" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “down payment” is “adelanto” — use 'adelanto' when referring to an initial payment for a purchase, especially when it implies an advance on something already owed or earned, like a salary.

adelanto🔊B1

Use 'adelanto' when referring to an initial payment for a purchase, especially when it implies an advance on something already owed or earned, like a salary.

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anticipo🔊

Use 'anticipo' for an initial payment made before the full amount is due, often implying a prepayment or an advance on a larger sum, similar to 'adelanto' but more common for general purchases.

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avance🔊B1

Use 'avance' for an initial payment, typically a percentage, required to secure a purchase or service, like reserving a car or property.

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entrada🔊B2

Use 'entrada' specifically for the initial payment required for significant purchases like real estate or vehicles, often a required percentage of the total cost.

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señalB2

Use 'señal' as a deposit or token payment to reserve a specific item, especially for large purchases like a car or a house, signifying your intention to buy.

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English → Spanish

adelanto

ah-deh-LAHN-toha.ðe.ˈlan.to

nounB1general
Use 'adelanto' when referring to an initial payment for a purchase, especially when it implies an advance on something already owed or earned, like a salary.
A hand handing a small stack of gold coins to another hand.

Examples

Le pedí un adelanto de sueldo a mi jefe.

I asked my boss for a salary advance.

Tienes que pagar un adelanto para reservar el hotel.

You have to pay a deposit to reserve the hotel.

El banco me dio un adelanto de efectivo.

The bank gave me a cash advance.

Using 'De'

When talking about money, we usually link 'adelanto' to the source using 'de', like 'adelanto de sueldo' (advance OF salary).

Not the same as 'prestamo'

Mistake: “Necesito un adelanto del banco para comprar una casa.”

Correction: Necesito un préstamo del banco.

anticipo

an-tee-SEE-pohanˈtisipo

noungeneral
Use 'anticipo' for an initial payment made before the full amount is due, often implying a prepayment or an advance on a larger sum, similar to 'adelanto' but more common for general purchases.
A hand handing over a small stack of gold coins to another hand.

Examples

He pedido un anticipo de mi sueldo para arreglar el coche.

I asked for an advance on my salary to fix the car.

Para reservar el apartamento, hay que pagar un anticipo.

To reserve the apartment, you have to pay a down payment.

El primer capítulo es un anticipo de su nueva novela.

The first chapter is a preview of her new novel.

Gender and Articles

This word is masculine, so always use 'el' or 'un'. Even though it ends in 'o', it never changes to 'anticipa' when referring to money.

Confusing with 'Adelanto'

Mistake: “Using 'anticipo' for every kind of 'early' thing.”

Correction: While very similar, use 'anticipo' mostly for money or formal previews; use 'adelanto' for progress or moving clocks forward.

avance

ah-VAHN-sayaˈβanse

nounB1general
Use 'avance' for an initial payment, typically a percentage, required to secure a purchase or service, like reserving a car or property.
Two stylized hands exchanging a small pile of gold coins for a decorative key, symbolizing a down payment.

Examples

Tienes que dar un avance del 10% para reservar el coche.

You have to give a 10% down payment to reserve the car.

Pedí un avance de mi sueldo para pagar las cuentas.

I asked for a cash advance on my salary to pay the bills.

entrada

en-TRAH-dahenˈtɾaða

nounB2general
Use 'entrada' specifically for the initial payment required for significant purchases like real estate or vehicles, often a required percentage of the total cost.
A small stack of colorful paper money placed directly next to a miniature, simple model of a house.

Examples

Necesitas pagar una entrada del 20% para el préstamo.

You need to pay a 20% down payment for the loan.

Ya dimos la entrada y solo quedan doce cuotas.

We already gave the down payment and only twelve installments remain.

señal

nounB2general
Use 'señal' as a deposit or token payment to reserve a specific item, especially for large purchases like a car or a house, signifying your intention to buy.

Examples

Para reservar el coche, tienes que dejar una señal de 200 euros.

To reserve the car, you have to leave a deposit of 200 euros.

Adelanto/Anticipo vs. Entrada/Señal

Learners often confuse 'adelanto' and 'anticipo' with 'entrada' and 'señal'. While 'adelanto' and 'anticipo' can refer to salary advances, 'entrada' and 'señal' are almost always used for the initial payment on a specific purchase like a car or house.

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