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How to Say "i squander" in Spanish

English → Spanish

desperdicio

/des-pair-DEE-syoh//despeɾˈdisjo/

verbB1general
Use 'desperdicio' when you are foolishly using up valuable resources like money, water, electricity, or opportunities.
A garden hose on a green lawn with water pouring out into a large puddle.

Examples

No desperdicio comida.

I don't waste food.

Yo nunca desperdicio el agua.

I never waste water.

Si no estudio, desperdicio mi oportunidad.

If I don't study, I waste my opportunity.

The 'O' Ending

When you see 'desperdicio' ending in 'o', it means 'I waste'. If it were just the noun 'waste', it would usually follow a word like 'el' or 'un'.

pierdo

/pyehr-doh//ˈpjeɾðo/

verbB1general
Use 'pierdo' when you are losing or wasting something intangible, most commonly time, due to a lack of planning or focus.
A person pouring a large bucket of water onto extremely dry, cracked ground, watching the water instantly disappear without effect, symbolizing wasted effort.

Examples

Si no me organizo, pierdo mucho tiempo en tareas sin importancia.

If I don't organize myself, I waste a lot of time on unimportant tasks.

Si no hay un plan, pierdo demasiado tiempo pensando.

If there is no plan, I waste too much time thinking.

No pierdo dinero en cosas que no necesito.

I don't waste money on things I don't need.

Wasting Resources vs. Wasting Time

The most common mistake is using 'desperdicio' for time. Remember, 'desperdicio' is for tangible things you use up, while 'pierdo' is typically for time or opportunities that slip away due to inaction.

Related Translations

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