Inklingo

How to Say "to waste" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to waste” is “gastar” — use this word when talking about using up resources like battery power, or spending time and effort, often in a way that could be avoided.

gastar🔊B1

Use this word when talking about using up resources like battery power, or spending time and effort, often in a way that could be avoided.

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perder🔊B1

Choose this word when referring to the loss of time, money, or opportunities, implying something valuable has been let go or not utilized effectively.

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desperdiciar🔊A2

This is the most common verb for wasting tangible resources like food or water, and also for not taking advantage of time or opportunities.

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malgastar🔊B1

Use this word when you want to emphasize the mismanagement or squandering of resources like money or time, often implying foolishness.

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botar🔊A1

This verb is primarily used for discarding or throwing something away, like trash, but can metaphorically extend to wasting money.

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disipar🔊C1

This verb implies scattering or dissipating something valuable, often referring to squandering large amounts of money or energy in a more formal context.

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English → Spanish

gastar

gahs-TAHRɡasˈtaɾ

verbB1
Use this word when talking about using up resources like battery power, or spending time and effort, often in a way that could be avoided.
A tall, clear drinking glass standing on a surface, containing only a single drop of water at the bottom, symbolizing a resource being used up.

Examples

No gastes la batería del móvil mirando videos.

Don't waste the phone battery watching videos.

Gastamos mucha energía en calentar la casa.

We use a lot of energy heating the house.

Es una pena gastar tanto tiempo esperando.

It's a shame to waste so much time waiting.

Wasting Effort

When talking about effort or energy, 'gastar' often implies that the resource was used inefficiently or without good results.

perder

pehr-DEHRpeɾˈdeɾ

verbB1
Choose this word when referring to the loss of time, money, or opportunities, implying something valuable has been let go or not utilized effectively.
A cartoon figure sitting idly on a park bench, letting several paper bills float away from their open hand into the wind, symbolizing wasted money.

Examples

No pierdas tu tiempo con ese videojuego.

Don't waste your time with that video game.

Perdió todo su dinero en malas inversiones.

He wasted all his money on bad investments.

Estamos perdiendo una cantidad enorme de agua por la fuga.

We are wasting a huge amount of water because of the leak.

desperdiciar

des-pair-dee-syardespeɾðiˈsjaɾ

verbA2
This is the most common verb for wasting tangible resources like food or water, and also for not taking advantage of time or opportunities.
An apple core and half-eaten food sitting in a trash can while a full water bottle spills onto the ground.

Examples

No desperdicies la comida, hay mucha gente con hambre.

Don't waste the food; there are many hungry people.

Estamos desperdiciando mucha agua con esa manguera rota.

We are wasting a lot of water with that broken hose.

Él desperdició todo su dinero en juegos de azar.

He squandered all his money on gambling.

No quiero desperdiciar esta oportunidad única.

I don't want to waste this unique opportunity.

A Regular Friend

This is a regular '-ar' verb. It follows the exact same patterns as 'hablar', so you don't need to worry about weird spelling changes.

Direct Action

You put the thing being wasted directly after the verb without any extra words (like 'de' or 'a'). For example: 'desperdiciar papel' (waste paper).

Abstract Use

When using this with 'time', it sounds more formal or serious than the common phrase 'perder el tiempo'.

Gastar vs. Desperdiciar

Mistake: “Usar 'gastar' para comida que tiras a la basura.”

Correction: Use 'gastar' for spending money normally, but 'desperdiciar' for throwing things away or using them poorly.

Missing the Chance

Mistake: “Saying 'perder una oportunidad' to mean it was your fault.”

Correction: While 'perder' works, 'desperdiciar' emphasizes that you had the chance but didn't use it well.

malgastar

mahl-gahs-TAHRmalɣasˈtaɾ

verbB1
Use this word when you want to emphasize the mismanagement or squandering of resources like money or time, often implying foolishness.
A colorful storybook illustration of a pile of gold coins falling into a trash can.

Examples

No quiero malgastar mi dinero en cosas que no necesito.

I don't want to waste my money on things I don't need.

Estamos malgastando mucho tiempo con esta reunión.

We are wasting a lot of time with this meeting.

Es una pena malgastar tanto talento.

It's a shame to waste so much talent.

A Compound Word

This word is a combination of 'mal' (badly) and 'gastar' (to spend). It literally means to spend badly!

Direct Use

You don't need a preposition like 'on' before the thing you are wasting. Just say 'malgastar el tiempo' (waste the time).

Malgastar vs. Perder

Mistake: “Perdí mi dinero en esa tienda.”

Correction: Malgasté mi dinero en esa tienda. Use 'perder' for losing your keys, but use 'malgastar' for wasting your cash.

botar

bo-TARboˈtaɾ

verbA1informal
This verb is primarily used for discarding or throwing something away, like trash, but can metaphorically extend to wasting money.
A person dropping a crumpled piece of paper into a green trash can.

Examples

Por favor, bota la basura en el contenedor.

Please throw the trash in the bin.

No botes esa ropa, todavía está buena.

Don't throw those clothes away, they are still good.

Estás botando el dinero en cosas que no necesitas.

You are wasting (throwing away) money on things you don't need.

Action vs. Election

Even though 'botar' and 'votar' sound the same, use 'botar' when you are physically moving or discarding something.

Don't use it for elections

Mistake: “Voy a botar por el presidente.”

Correction: Voy a votar por el presidente. Use a 'V' for voting in elections.

disipar

dee-see-pardisiˈpaɾ

verbC1formal
This verb implies scattering or dissipating something valuable, often referring to squandering large amounts of money or energy in a more formal context.
A pile of gold coins falling through a hole in a worn-out leather bag onto the ground.

Examples

Disipó toda su fortuna en apuestas.

He squandered his entire fortune on betting.

No debemos disipar nuestras energías en cosas sin importancia.

We should not waste our energies on unimportant things.

La herencia se disipó en pocos años.

The inheritance was squandered in a few years.

Formal tone

This meaning is very formal. In everyday life, people usually say 'gastar' or 'malgastar' for wasting money.

Avoid for small items

Mistake: “Disipé mis llaves.”

Correction: Perdí mis llaves. 'Disipar' is for resources that vanish, not physical objects you misplace.

Choosing Between 'Desperdiciar' and 'Malgastar'

Learners often confuse 'desperdiciar' and 'malgastar'. While both mean to waste, 'desperdiciar' is more general and often applies to resources like food or water. 'Malgastar' specifically implies misuse or squandering, often with a negative connotation of foolishness, especially with money or time.

Related Translations

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