Inklingo

How to Say "expired" in Spanish

English → Spanish

falleció

verbB1formal, medical, legal
Use this word specifically when referring to a person who has died, often in formal or medical contexts.

Examples

El abuelo falleció pacíficamente anoche.

The grandfather passed away peacefully last night.

vencido

ven-SEE-dohbenˈsiðo

adjectiveB2general
This term is used for dates, deadlines, or legal documents that have passed their valid period.
A half-eaten green apple covered in visible brown spots and mold, sitting on a wooden counter, indicating it is expired.

Examples

Mi pasaporte está vencido y necesito renovarlo.

My passport is expired and I need to renew it.

Tenemos que pagar la renta antes de que esté vencida.

We have to pay the rent before it is overdue.

El plazo para entregar los documentos está vencido.

The deadline for submitting the documents has expired.

Me di cuenta de que mi pasaporte estaba vencido.

I realized that my passport was expired.

Time vs. Food

In Spanish, 'vencido' usually refers to deadlines, contracts, or official documents. For food or medication that has gone bad, it is often more natural to use 'caducado'.

Using 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'

Mistake: “Mi pasaporte es vencido.”

Correction: Mi pasaporte está vencido. Use 'estar' because expiration is a temporary state or condition of the object, not a permanent characteristic.

inválido

adjectiveB1general
Apply this word when something, like a ticket or coupon, is no longer usable because its time limit has passed.

Examples

Este cupón está inválido porque la fecha de expiración ya pasó.

This coupon is invalid because the expiration date has already passed.

Confusing 'vencido' and 'inválido'

Learners often confuse 'vencido' and 'inválido'. While both mean 'expired,' 'vencido' is more about the passage of time for dates and deadlines, whereas 'inválido' implies something is no longer usable or valid as a result.

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