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B1 verb #5,000 most common 11 min read

adeudar

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips adeudar in 30 Seconds

Explanation adeudar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use the word 'adeudar' because it is quite formal. Instead, you will learn the verb 'deber'. 'Deber' is easy to use for saying 'I owe you five euros' (Te debo cinco euros). However, it is good to recognize 'adeudar' if you see it on a bill. Think of 'adeudar' as a more serious version of 'deber'. If you see 'Usted adeuda...' on a piece of paper, it means 'You owe money'. At this stage, just remember that 'adeudar' comes from 'deuda' (debt). If you know 'deuda', you can understand 'adeudar'. You won't be expected to use it in your own speaking, but knowing it exists will help you understand formal letters. Focus on the present tense: 'Yo adeudo', 'Tú adeudas', 'Él adeuda'. It works just like other -ar verbs like 'hablar'. But remember, in a cafe or with friends, always use 'deber'. 'Adeudar' is for the bank or the government. Even at A1, knowing that Spanish has different words for different levels of formality is a very important lesson. This word is your first step into 'Business Spanish'. Just keep it in your 'passive vocabulary' for now, meaning you understand it when you see it, but you don't need to say it yet.

At the A2 level, you are starting to handle more everyday situations, like dealing with basic services or simple bank tasks. You might see 'adeudar' on a receipt from a store or an ATM. At this level, you should be able to understand the past tense of this verb. For example, 'El mes pasado, yo adeudaba cien euros' (Last month, I owed one hundred euros). You might also see the word 'adeudado' used as a description, like 'el dinero adeudado' (the money owed). This is called a past participle. It is very common in simple financial statements. You should also start to notice that 'adeudar' is almost always followed by the person or bank you owe money to, using the letter 'a'. For example: 'Adeudo dinero a mi hermano'. Even though 'deber' is still your best friend for speaking, 'adeudar' is a word you will start to see more often in 'real life' documents in a Spanish-speaking country. Practice recognizing it in the context of 'facturas' (bills) and 'pagos' (payments). If you are writing a simple formal note, using 'adeudar' instead of 'deber' can make you sound more polite and educated. It shows you are moving beyond the most basic level of the language.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'adeudar' in appropriate contexts, especially in professional or semi-formal writing. This is the level where you distinguish between registers. If you are writing a letter to a landlord or a service provider, 'adeudar' is the correct choice. You should be comfortable with its conjugation in the present, past (imperfect and preterite), and future tenses. For example, 'Si no pago hoy, adeudaré intereses mañana' (If I don't pay today, I will owe interest tomorrow). You should also understand how to use it with object pronouns. 'La empresa me adeuda el salario' (The company owes me my salary). This is a very important sentence for a worker! At B1, you also start learning the subjunctive. You might hear: 'Es necesario que usted no adeude ninguna cantidad' (It is necessary that you don't owe any amount). This level is about precision. You use 'adeudar' when you want to sound technical and 'deber' when you want to be general. You should also be able to explain the difference between 'adeudar' (to owe) and 'endeudarse' (to get into debt). One is the state of owing, the other is the action of entering into that state. Mastering this word at B1 shows that you are ready for more complex social and work-related interactions in Spanish.

At the B2 level, your use of 'adeudar' should be natural in all formal and professional contexts. You should be able to use it in complex sentence structures, including conditional sentences and various subjunctive forms. For example: 'Si la empresa hubiera pagado a tiempo, no adeudara tanto dinero en intereses' (If the company had paid on time, it wouldn't owe so much money in interest). At this level, you should also understand the metaphorical uses of 'adeudar'. You might read in a newspaper that 'La política actual adeuda su éxito a las reformas del año pasado' (Current policy owes its success to last year's reforms). You should be able to use 'adeudar' in debates about the economy or social justice, such as 'El Estado adeuda una reparación a las víctimas'. Your vocabulary should also include related terms like 'el adeudo' (the charge/debt) and 'el deudor' (the debtor). You should be able to distinguish 'adeudar' from more specific accounting terms like 'debitar' or 'cargar'. A B2 learner should be able to write a formal complaint or a business report using this verb correctly to maintain a professional tone. You are no longer just 'owing' things; you are managing financial liabilities and intellectual influences with linguistic precision.

At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of the nuances of 'adeudar' compared to its synonyms. You recognize that 'adeudar' carries a legal and administrative weight that 'deber' does not. You can use it fluently in academic writing, legal discussions, and high-level business negotiations. You understand how the word functions in various Spanish-speaking regions, noting that while the core meaning is the same, its frequency might vary slightly between Spain and Latin America in certain formal documents. You are comfortable with the passive 'se' construction ('Se adeudan cuantiosas sumas al erario público') and can use it to shift focus in your writing. You also appreciate the historical and literary dimensions of the word. You might encounter it in classic literature where it describes complex social obligations or familial duties. At C1, you use 'adeudar' not just as a verb for money, but as a tool to describe influences, legacies, and systemic obligations. You can explain the etymological connection between 'adeudar', 'deuda', and 'deber' and how they have diverged in modern usage. Your ability to use 'adeudar' correctly in a high-pressure professional environment, such as a legal deposition or a financial audit, is a hallmark of your advanced proficiency.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like mastery of 'adeudar'. You can use it with absolute precision in the most formal and specialized contexts, such as drafting legal contracts, writing economic treatises, or analyzing complex literary texts. You understand the subtle differences between 'adeudar' and other highly specific terms like 'estar en mora' (to be in default) or 'tener obligaciones pendientes'. You can play with the word's register, perhaps using it ironically in a more casual setting to create a specific effect, or using it with maximum gravity in a formal speech. You are aware of the word's full historical trajectory and how its usage has been shaped by Spanish civil and commercial law over centuries. In your own production, 'adeudar' is part of a rich tapestry of financial and moral terminology that you deploy with ease. You can navigate the most dense bureaucratic language where 'adeudar' is a standard term, and you can even critique the style of such documents. For a C2 learner, 'adeudar' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a precise instrument for defining the relationships of obligation that underpin society, whether they are financial, legal, or intellectual. You use it to express the finest shades of meaning, ensuring that your communication is perfectly attuned to the context and the audience.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

adeudar in 30 Seconds

Adeudar means 'to owe money' and is the formal alternative to 'deber'.
It is primarily used in banking, legal, and professional Spanish contexts.
The word is a regular -ar verb derived from the noun 'deuda'.
It can also describe metaphorical or intellectual debts in formal writing.

The Spanish verb adeudar represents a sophisticated and formal way to express the concept of owing something, primarily money, to another entity or person. While the common verb 'deber' is ubiquitous in daily conversation, 'adeudar' is the preferred terminology in administrative, legal, and accounting contexts. It originates from the noun 'deuda' (debt), combined with the prefix 'a-', which often indicates a transition into a state or the application of a quality. When you use 'adeudar', you are not just saying someone owes a few dollars; you are often describing a formal liability that is recorded on a balance sheet or a legal document.

Financial Context: In accounting, 'adeudar' is used to describe the act of charging an account or recording a debt. It is the formal counterpart to 'to be in arrears'.

La empresa todavía nos adeuda los intereses del último trimestre.

Understanding 'adeudar' requires recognizing its transitive nature. The subject is the debtor (the person who owes), and the direct object is the amount or the thing owed. Often, the person to whom the debt is owed is introduced by the preposition 'a'. For instance, 'Él adeuda una gran suma al banco'. This verb is essential for anyone dealing with Spanish business culture or legal systems. It carries a weight of officiality that 'deber' lacks. In historical Spanish literature, 'adeudar' was also used to describe moral or familial obligations, though this usage has largely shifted toward financial contexts in modern times.

Legal Nuance: In legal proceedings, a judge might determine that a defendant 'adeuda' damages to a plaintiff. This implies a legally binding obligation rather than a casual favor.

Según el contrato, usted adeuda el pago de los servicios prestados en mayo.

Furthermore, the verb is frequently found in the passive voice or as a past participle in reports, such as 'la cantidad adeudada' (the amount owed). This specific phrase is a staple of bank statements and tax notifications. When a citizen receives a letter from 'Hacienda' (the tax authority in Spain), the term 'adeudar' will almost certainly appear to describe unpaid taxes.

Etymological Root: Derived from the Latin 'debitare', which means to owe. The evolution into Spanish involved the reinforcement of the concept of 'deuda' (debt) within the verb structure itself.

El cliente adeudaba tres meses de alquiler antes de ser desalojado.

¿Cuánto dinero adeuda actualmente su departamento al fondo común?

No podemos procesar su solicitud si aún adeuda pagos previos.

In summary, 'adeudar' is the bridge between the simple concept of owing and the formal world of finance. It is a verb that demands precision and is typically associated with documented liabilities rather than informal promises between friends.

Using adeudar correctly involves understanding its role as a transitive verb. The basic structure is [Subject] + [Conjugated Verb] + [Amount/Object] + [Preposition 'a'] + [Recipient]. For example, 'El gobierno (Subject) adeuda (Verb) una compensación (Object) a las víctimas (Recipient)'. This structure remains consistent across different tenses, though the verb is most commonly used in the present indicative and the past imperfect when describing ongoing debt situations.

Transitive Usage: The verb always requires an object. You cannot simply say 'Él adeuda' without specifying what is owed, unless the context has already established the debt.

Muchos ciudadanos adeudan el impuesto sobre la renta este año.

In formal writing, 'adeudar' often appears in the passive voice or with 'se' to indicate impersonal debt. For example, 'Se adeuda una cantidad significativa' (A significant amount is owed). This is common in audit reports where the focus is on the debt itself rather than the debtor. Additionally, the past participle 'adeudado' functions as an adjective. You will see phrases like 'el saldo adeudado' (the balance owed) or 'las facturas adeudadas' (the outstanding invoices).

Adjectival Form: 'Adeudado/a' must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Example: 'las cuotas adeudadas'.

El total adeudado asciende a más de mil euros incluyendo los recargos.

One must also consider the difference between 'adeudar' and 'endeudarse'. While 'adeudar' is the act of owing, 'endeudarse' is the process of getting into debt. For example, 'Me endeudé para comprar la casa, y ahora adeudo el préstamo al banco'. This distinction is crucial for clear communication in financial planning.

Formal Correspondence: In a formal letter: 'Le informamos que su cuenta aún adeuda el pago correspondiente al mes de julio'.

¿Es cierto que la federación adeuda los premios a los atletas?

La nación adeuda una disculpa histórica a las comunidades indígenas.

Si usted adeuda alguna cantidad, por favor pase por caja antes de salir.

In complex sentences, 'adeudar' can be used with the subjunctive when expressing necessity or doubt. 'Es imperativo que la empresa no adeude salarios a sus trabajadores'. This highlights the legal and ethical obligation involved in the verb's meaning. By mastering these patterns, you can navigate professional Spanish environments with confidence, ensuring your financial terminology is precise and appropriately formal.

You are most likely to encounter adeudar in environments where money and law intersect. If you live in a Spanish-speaking country, your first encounter might be through a utility bill or a bank notification. These documents are written in a formal register where 'deber' is considered too colloquial. Instead, they will state the 'importe adeudado' (amount owed).

Banking and Finance: Bank clerks and financial advisors use 'adeudar' when discussing loan balances or credit card debts during official consultations.

El extracto bancario muestra que usted adeuda el cargo por mantenimiento de cuenta.

In the workplace, human resources or accounting departments use this verb. If there is a discrepancy in your salary or if you owe the company for a lost piece of equipment, the official communication will use 'adeudar'. It creates a professional distance and emphasizes the contractual nature of the debt.

Government and Taxes: Agencies like the Agencia Tributaria in Spain use 'adeudar' in all their automated and manual correspondence regarding tax liabilities.

La administración pública le comunica que adeuda tres multas de tráfico.

In literature and high-level journalism, 'adeudar' is used metaphorically. An author might write that a modern philosopher 'adeuda' much of his theory to Plato. Here, it signifies intellectual debt or influence. While 'deber' could also be used, 'adeudar' adds a layer of formal recognition and gravity to the influence.

Intellectual Influence: Used to credit predecessors or sources of inspiration in academic or artistic critiques.

Esta nueva corriente cinematográfica adeuda su estética al expresionismo alemán.

El informe de auditoría reveló que la filial adeudaba millones al fisco.

Muchos estudiantes adeudan el pago de la matrícula universitaria.

Finally, in the legal world, during a trial for breach of contract, lawyers will argue about what exactly the defendant 'adeuda'. It is a key term in commercial law. Even if you don't use it daily, being able to recognize 'adeudar' is vital for understanding any formal document or news report related to the economy.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is overusing adeudar in casual settings. While it is a correct synonym for 'deber', using it while buying coffee with a friend ('Te adeudo dos euros') sounds unnaturally stiff and robotic. In everyday life, 'deber' is the king of verbs. 'Adeudar' should be reserved for situations that involve paperwork, banks, or professional obligations.

Register Mismatch: Mistake: Using 'adeudar' for small, informal favors. Correct: Use 'deber' for friends and family.

Incorrecto: Amigo, te adeudo una cerveza. Correcto: Amigo, te debo una cerveza.

Another common error is the confusion with the reflexive form 'endeudarse'. Learners sometimes say 'Me adeudo con el banco' when they mean 'Me endeudo con el banco'. Remember: 'adeudar' is what you do with the money (you owe it), while 'endeudarse' is what you do to yourself (you get into debt). You 'adeudas' a specific amount, but you 'te endeudas' as a general state of being in debt.

Preposition Errors: Mistake: 'Adeudar con alguien'. Correct: 'Adeudar a alguien'. The recipient of the debt is always marked by 'a'.

Incorrecto: Adeudo dinero con mi jefe. Correcto: Adeudo dinero a mi jefe.

Furthermore, some students confuse 'adeudar' with 'adudar' (which is not a word) or 'ayudar' (to help). While the spelling might look somewhat similar to a beginner, the meanings are entirely unrelated. Pay close attention to the 'eu' diphthong in the middle of the word.

Spelling Confusion: Mistake: Writing 'adeudar' as 'adudar'. Correct: Always include the 'e' from 'deuda'.

Recuerde que adeudar proviene de 'deuda'. Si puede escribir 'deuda', puede escribir 'adeudar'.

No es correcto decir 'me adeudo' para decir 'I am in debt'; diga 'estoy en deuda' o 'tengo deudas'.

Evite confundir 'adeudar' con 'abonar'. 'Abonar' es pagar o dar crédito, lo opuesto a 'adeudar'.

Finally, watch out for the 'passive se'. If you say 'Se adeudan impuestos', it means 'Taxes are owed'. If you mistakenly say 'Se adeuda impuestos' (singular verb with plural noun), you are making a common agreement error. The verb must agree with the thing being owed in these passive structures. By avoiding these pitfalls, you will use 'adeudar' like a native professional.

To truly master adeudar, you must understand its relationship with other verbs in the financial semantic field. The most obvious alternative is 'deber'. While both mean 'to owe', 'deber' is universal and can also mean 'must' or 'should'. 'Adeudar' is strictly about debt and is much more formal.

Adeudar vs. Deber: Use 'deber' for: 'Debo irme', 'Te debo un favor'. Use 'adeudar' for: 'La empresa adeuda el IVA', 'El saldo adeudado'.

Mientras que 'deber' es común, adeudar es técnico y específico.

Another similar term is 'estar en deuda'. This is often used for moral or emotional obligations. If someone saves your life, you say 'Siempre estaré en deuda contigo'. While 'adeudar' could be used in a very formal literary sense here, 'estar en deuda' is the standard idiomatic expression for gratitude.

Estar en deuda: More common for metaphorical debts. Example: 'Estamos en deuda con los científicos que desarrollaron la vacuna'.

'Tener pendiente' is another great alternative, especially in business. Instead of saying 'Usted adeuda una factura', you might say 'Usted tiene una factura pendiente'. This sounds slightly less aggressive and is very common in customer service.

Tener pendiente: Literal meaning: 'to have pending'. Used to soften the mention of a debt. Example: 'Tiene pendiente el pago del último recibo'.

Si no quiere usar adeudar, puede decir que el pago está 'atrasado'.

For the opposite of 'adeudar', look to 'solventar', 'liquidar', or 'saldar'. These verbs mean to pay off or settle a debt. 'He saldado mi deuda' means 'I have settled what I owed'. These are the 'hero' verbs that resolve the 'adeudar' problem.

Saldar / Liquidar: Specific verbs for finishing a debt. Example: 'Finalmente logramos liquidar lo que adeudábamos al banco'.

El antónimo más directo de adeudar en un contexto contable es 'abonar'.

¿Prefiere decir 'deber dinero' o adeudar una suma? Todo depende del contexto formal.

Recuerde: adeudar suena a contrato; 'deber' suena a conversación.

Understanding these alternatives allows you to choose the right tone for your conversation or writing. Whether you want to be direct, polite, or strictly professional, knowing which synonym to use is a sign of advanced Spanish proficiency.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'adeudar' shares the same root as the English word 'debt'. The 'b' in English 'debt' was added later to mimic Latin, while Spanish kept the phonetic evolution from 'debitum' to 'deuda'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /a.ðeu̯ˈðar/

US /a.ðeu̯ˈðar/

The stress is on the last syllable: a-deu-DAR.

Rhymes With

Cantar Llegar Pagar Saldar Abonar Cargar Ahorrar Gastar

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'eu' as two separate syllables (a-de-u-dar). It should be one fluid sound.
Hardening the 'd' sounds like an English 'd'. They should be soft.
Forgetting the 'e' and saying 'adudar'.
Stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., a-DEU-dar).
Mispronouncing the final 'r' as a silent letter.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in formal texts, easy to recognize if you know 'deuda'.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of formal register and correct prepositions.

Speaking 4/5

Not used in casual speech; using it correctly requires situational awareness.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation, but usually found in fast-paced news or formal meetings.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

deuda dinero pagar banco factura

Learn Next

endeudarse solvencia acreedor mora devengar

Advanced

concurso de acreedores pasivo exigible amortización pago en especie

Grammar to Know

Indirect Object Pronouns

La empresa *nos* adeuda el dinero.

Passive Se

*Se* adeuda una gran suma.

Past Participle as Adjective

La factura *adeudada*.

Subjunctive with doubt

No creo que *adeuden* nada.

Conditional for hypothetical debt

Si comprara eso, *adeudaría* mucho dinero.

Examples by Level

Yo adeudo diez euros.

I owe ten euros.

Simple present tense of -ar verb.

¿Tú adeudas dinero?

Do you owe money?

Question form in the second person.

Él adeuda el café.

He owes for the coffee.

Third person singular.

Nosotros no adeudamos nada.

We don't owe anything.

Negative sentence with 'nada'.

Ellos adeudan la cuenta.

They owe the bill.

Third person plural.

Usted adeuda un euro.

You (formal) owe one euro.

Formal 'usted' form.

Ella adeuda un libro.

She owes a book.

Direct object is 'un libro'.

No quiero adeudar dinero.

I don't want to owe money.

Infinitive after 'querer'.

Ayer adeudaba cinco euros al banco.

Yesterday I owed five euros to the bank.

Imperfect tense for ongoing past state.

Mis padres adeudaban la hipoteca.

My parents owed the mortgage.

Imperfect tense, plural subject.

El cliente adeudó el pago ayer.

The client owed the payment yesterday.

Preterite tense for a specific point in time.

¿Cuánto dinero adeudabas tú?

How much money did you owe?

Imperfect tense in a question.

Nosotros adeudábamos el alquiler del mes.

We owed the month's rent.

Imperfect tense, first person plural.

Ella adeudó una pequeña suma.

She owed a small sum.

Preterite tense, third person singular.

Ustedes adeudaban la luz.

You all owed the electricity bill.

Imperfect tense, 'ustedes' form.

No adeudábamos nada el año pasado.

We didn't owe anything last year.

Negative imperfect tense.

Si no pagas, adeudarás intereses.

If you don't pay, you will owe interest.

Future tense in a conditional context.

Es posible que él todavía adeude la factura.

It's possible that he still owes the invoice.

Present subjunctive after 'es posible que'.

La empresa me adeuda tres meses de sueldo.

The company owes me three months of salary.

Indirect object pronoun 'me'.

Adeudaríamos menos si ahorráramos.

We would owe less if we saved.

Conditional tense.

Dudo que ellos adeuden tanto dinero.

I doubt that they owe so much money.

Present subjunctive after 'dudar'.

Usted adeuda el impuesto de circulación.

You owe the road tax.

Formal usage in a specific context.

Hemos adeudado esta cantidad por meses.

We have owed this amount for months.

Present perfect tense.

Espero que no me adeudes nada más.

I hope you don't owe me anything else.

Subjunctive after 'esperar'.

El saldo adeudado debe pagarse antes del viernes.

The balance owed must be paid before Friday.

Past participle 'adeudado' used as an adjective.

Se adeuda una explicación a los ciudadanos.

An explanation is owed to the citizens.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

Aunque adeudara el dinero, no podría pagar ahora.

Even if I owed the money, I couldn't pay now.

Imperfect subjunctive in a concessive clause.

La institución adeuda su prestigio a su fundador.

The institution owes its prestige to its founder.

Metaphorical/formal usage.

Las cantidades adeudadas serán reclamadas por vía judicial.

The amounts owed will be claimed through legal channels.

Passive voice with 'ser' and future tense.

No creo que la empresa adeude salarios este año.

I don't think the company owes salaries this year.

Subjunctive after 'no creo que'.

Adeudando lo que adeuda, no debería pedir más préstamos.

Owing what he owes, he shouldn't ask for more loans.

Gerund 'adeudando' for cause/context.

El informe detalla todo lo que se adeuda al fisco.

The report details everything that is owed to the treasury.

Relative clause with 'lo que'.

La nación adeuda una disculpa a las minorías.

The nation owes an apology to minorities.

Formal, abstract object.

Resulta imperativo liquidar lo que se adeuda.

It is imperative to settle what is owed.

Formal vocabulary like 'imperativo' and 'liquidar'.

La obra de este autor adeuda mucho al realismo mágico.

This author's work owes much to magical realism.

Intellectual/artistic debt.

Cualquier suma que se adeude devengará intereses de demora.

Any amount owed will accrue late payment interest.

Legal/technical terminology ('devengará').

El acusado negó que adeudara tal cantidad al demandante.

The accused denied that he owed such an amount to the plaintiff.

Imperfect subjunctive after a verb of denial in the past.

Tras la auditoría, se descubrió que la filial adeudaba millones.

After the audit, it was discovered that the subsidiary owed millions.

Professional/business context.

No podemos ignorar la deuda que la ciencia adeuda a la curiosidad.

We cannot ignore the debt that science owes to curiosity.

Philosophical/abstract usage.

La administración local adeuda el pago a los proveedores.

The local administration owes payment to the suppliers.

Specific institutional context.

El Estado adeuda una reparación histórica a los exiliados.

The State owes a historical reparation to the exiles.

High-level political/legal discourse.

Su prosa adeuda su elegancia a los clásicos latinos.

His prose owes its elegance to the Latin classics.

Literary criticism context.

Se estipuló que la parte deudora adeudaría el principal más el rédito.

It was stipulated that the debtor would owe the principal plus the interest.

Highly technical legal terms ('rédito', 'estipuló').

La modernidad adeuda gran parte de su ser a la Ilustración.

Modernity owes a large part of its being to the Enlightenment.

Philosophical/historical analysis.

Es cuestionable que la entidad adeude responsabilidad civil en este caso.

It is questionable whether the entity owes civil liability in this case.

Legal nuance ('responsabilidad civil').

La cuantía que se adeuda ha sido objeto de litigio durante años.

The amount owed has been the subject of litigation for years.

Passive voice and advanced noun 'cuantía'.

El pensamiento contemporáneo adeuda su escepticismo a Nietzsche.

Contemporary thought owes its skepticism to Nietzsche.

Intellectual history.

Pese a lo que se adeuda, la solvencia de la empresa es sólida.

Despite what is owed, the company's solvency is solid.

Complex concession with 'Pese a'.

Common Collocations

adeudar una suma

adeudar impuestos

adeudar facturas

adeudar el alquiler

adeudar intereses

adeudar gratitud

adeudar respeto

adeudar explicaciones

adeudar salarios

adeudar cuotas

Common Phrases

Saldo adeudado

— The total amount currently owed on an account.

Su saldo adeudado es de 500 euros.

Cantidad adeudada

— A specific amount of money that is owed.

La cantidad adeudada debe ser abonada hoy.

Adeudar a favor de

— To owe money to a specific person or entity.

La deuda es a favor de la Tesorería.

Adeudar por concepto de

— To owe money for a specific reason or service.

Adeuda 20 euros por concepto de gastos de envío.

No adeudar nada

— To be completely debt-free in a specific context.

Certifico que no adeudo nada a esta empresa.

Adeudar en su totalidad

— To owe the entire amount of something.

El préstamo se adeuda en su totalidad.

Adeudar desde hace tiempo

— To have owed something for a long period.

Adeuda esa factura desde hace tiempo.

Adeudar parcialmente

— To owe only a portion of the total amount.

Solo adeuda parcialmente la matrícula.

Adeudar solidariamente

— To owe a debt together with others (legal term).

Los socios adeudan solidariamente el crédito.

Adeudar lo pactado

— To owe exactly what was agreed upon in a contract.

Usted aún adeuda lo pactado en el contrato.

Often Confused With

adeudar vs deber

Deber is general; adeudar is formal and financial.

adeudar vs endeudarse

Adeudar is to owe; endeudarse is to get into debt.

adeudar vs ayudar

Spelling is similar for beginners, but meanings are opposite (owe vs help).

Idioms & Expressions

"Adeudar hasta la camisa"

— To be heavily in debt (lit. 'to owe even the shirt').

Después del casino, adeudaba hasta la camisa.

informal

"Adeudar una vela a cada santo"

— To have many small debts to many different people.

No tiene dinero porque le adeuda una vela a cada santo.

colloquial

"Adeudar la vida"

— To owe someone your life (eternal gratitude).

Le adeudo la vida al médico que me operó.

formal/emotional

"Adeudar el alma al diablo"

— To be in a desperate debt or a bad deal.

Con ese préstamo usurero, parece que le adeuda el alma al diablo.

informal/figurative

"Adeudar un favor"

— To be in a position where you must return a favor.

Me ayudaste mucho, te adeudo un favor grande.

neutral

"Quedar adeudando"

— To remain owing something after a transaction.

Pagué la mitad y quedé adeudando el resto.

neutral

"Adeudar el sueño"

— To be sleep-deprived (metaphorical).

Adeudo muchas horas de sueño por el trabajo.

colloquial

"Adeudar respeto a las canas"

— To owe respect to the elderly.

Joven, usted le adeuda respeto a las canas de su abuelo.

formal/traditional

"Adeudar una disculpa"

— To be in a situation where an apology is necessary.

Creo que me adeudas una disculpa por lo que dijiste.

neutral

"Adeudar tributo"

— To owe praise or recognition (often literary).

Todos le adeudamos tributo a su gran talento.

formal/literary

Easily Confused

adeudar vs adeudo

Noun vs Verb

'El adeudo' is the debt itself; 'adeudar' is the action of owing.

El adeudo aparece en la cuenta que usted adeuda.

adeudar vs abonar

Opposite meaning

'Abonar' is to pay or credit; 'adeudar' is to owe or charge.

Debe abonar lo que adeuda.

adeudar vs debitar

Technical synonym

'Debitar' is the specific accounting action of entering a debt.

El banco va a debitar la suma que usted adeuda.

adeudar vs restar

Contextual synonym

'Restar' means to remain (as in money left to pay).

Resta por pagar lo que aún adeuda.

adeudar vs devengar

Related process

'Devengar' is to accrue (like interest); 'adeudar' is the state of owing it.

La deuda adeuda intereses que se devengan mensualmente.

Sentence Patterns

Yo adeudo [dinero].

Yo adeudo cinco euros.

Él adeudaba [cantidad].

Él adeudaba cien pesos.

Espero que no [subjuntivo] nada.

Espero que no adeudes nada.

Si [condición], adeudaré [algo].

Si no pago, adeudaré más.

El [sustantivo] adeudado es [cantidad].

El total adeudado es alto.

Se adeuda [sustantivo] a [entidad].

Se adeuda respeto a la ley.

[Sujeto] adeuda su [éxito] a [causa].

Él adeuda su fama a su esfuerzo.

Pese a lo que se adeuda, [conclusión].

Pese a lo que se adeuda, seguiremos adelante.

Word Family

Nouns

deuda (debt)

adeudo (charge/debt)

deudor (debtor)

endeudamiento (indebtedness)

Verbs

deber (to owe/must)

endeudarse (to get into debt)

desendeudarse (to get out of debt)

Adjectives

adeudado (owed)

deudor (debtor/related to debt)

endeudado (indebted)

crédito

préstamo

factura

saldo

interés

How to Use It

frequency

Medium-High in formal/written Spanish; Low in spoken/casual Spanish.

Common Mistakes

Me adeudo con el banco. → Me endeudo con el banco.
Adeudar is not reflexive. Use 'endeudarse' to say you are getting into debt.
Te adeudo un favor. → Te debo un favor.
Using 'adeudar' for personal favors sounds unnaturally formal.
Usted aduda dinero. → Usted adeuda dinero.
Missing the 'e' from the root 'deuda'.
Adeudo dinero con mi amigo. → Adeudo dinero a mi amigo.
The preposition for the recipient is 'a', not 'con'.
Se adeuda los impuestos. → Se adeudan los impuestos.
In passive 'se' constructions, the verb must agree with the plural subject 'impuestos'.

Tips

Use in Formal Emails

When writing to a company about a missing payment, use 'adeudar' to sound more professional and serious about the matter.

Check the Object

Make sure you always specify what is owed. 'Adeudar' is transitive and needs a direct object like 'dinero' or 'una factura'.

Root Word

Remember 'deuda' (debt). If you can remember 'deuda', you will never forget what 'adeudar' means.

The Diphthong

Practice the 'eu' sound. It's the same sound as in 'deuda' or 'euro'. Don't split it into two syllables.

Softening the Tone

If 'adeudar' sounds too harsh, use 'tener pendiente'. It means the same thing in business but is slightly more polite.

Contracts

If you see 'adeudar' in a contract, pay attention! It defines your financial liabilities.

DELE/SIELE Tip

Using 'adeudar' correctly in the writing section of a B2 or C1 exam can help you get a higher score for vocabulary range.

Friends vs. Banks

Rule of thumb: Banks 'adeudan', friends 'deben'.

Passive Voice

Learn the phrase 'se adeuda'. It's very common in reports where the person owing isn't the main focus.

Resolution

Always aim to 'liquidar' (settle) what you 'adeudas' (owe)!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'A DEBT-AR'. It's like 'debt' with an 'A' at the beginning and 'AR' at the end. A-DEBT-AR = ADEUDAR.

Visual Association

Imagine a formal letter from a bank with a big red stamp that says 'ADEUDA'. The 'A' looks like a mountain of bills.

Word Web

Dinero Banco Factura Pago Préstamo Interés Contrato Deudor

Challenge

Try to write three formal sentences using 'adeudar' in the past, present, and future about a fictional business deal.

Word Origin

From the Spanish noun 'deuda', which comes from the Latin 'debitum' (something owed). The prefix 'a-' was added to create the verb form.

Original meaning: To have a debt or to be in a state of owing.

Romance (Latin root)

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'adeudar' with friends; it might sound like you are treating them like a bank, which can be perceived as cold.

In English, we usually just say 'to owe' regardless of the context. 'Adeudar' is equivalent to more formal English terms like 'to be indebted' or 'to have an outstanding balance'.

Used in the Spanish Civil Code (Código Civil) to define obligations. Commonly found in the financial sections of newspapers like 'El País' or 'Reforma'. Appears in classical Spanish plays when characters discuss inheritances and dowries.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the bank

¿Cuánto adeudo?
Adeuda el interés.
Saldo adeudado.
Adeudar el préstamo.

Paying taxes

Adeuda el IVA.
Suma adeudada.
Adeudar al fisco.
No adeudar impuestos.

Business meeting

La empresa adeuda.
Adeudamos a proveedores.
Facturas adeudadas.
Adeudar salarios.

Renting a house

Adeuda el alquiler.
Meses adeudados.
Adeudar la fianza.
No adeudar servicios.

Legal dispute

El demandado adeuda.
Cantidad que se adeuda.
Adeudar daños.
Adeudar por contrato.

Conversation Starters

"¿Sabes si todavía adeudamos algo de la última factura de luz?"

"Me preocupa que la empresa nos adeude el bono de este año."

"¿Crees que es mejor adeudar al banco o a un familiar?"

"¿Qué pasa en tu país si alguien adeuda muchos impuestos?"

"¿Alguna vez te han enviado una carta diciendo que adeudas dinero por error?"

Journal Prompts

Escribe sobre una situación en la que una empresa te adeudaba dinero y cómo lo resolviste.

Reflexiona sobre si las naciones ricas adeudan algo a las naciones en desarrollo.

Describe tu plan financiero para nunca adeudar más de lo que puedes pagar.

¿Crees que los hijos le adeudan algo a sus padres por su crianza?

Escribe una carta formal reclamando una cantidad que se te adeuda.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

'Deber' es la palabra común que usamos todos los días para cualquier tipo de obligación. 'Adeudar' es mucho más formal y se usa principalmente en documentos bancarios, legales o contables para hablar de deudas de dinero específicas. Por ejemplo, dices 'Te debo un café' pero 'El cliente adeuda el pago de la hipoteca'.

Técnicamente sí, pero suena extremadamente formal o incluso irónico. Es mejor decir 'Te debo un favor'. Si dices 'Te adeudo un favor', parece que estás hablando en un contrato legal. Sin embargo, en literatura se usa a veces para dar un tono solemne.

Es un verbo regular terminado en -ar: yo adeudo, tú adeudas, él/ella/usted adeuda, nosotros adeudamos, vosotros adeudáis, ellos/ellas/ustedes adeudan.

Significa 'el monto de dinero que se debe'. Es una frase que verás siempre en tus facturas de luz, agua o en los estados de cuenta del banco.

No, 'adeudar' no es reflexivo. No se dice 'yo me adeudo'. El verbo reflexivo relacionado es 'endeudarse' (to get into debt), como en 'Me endeudé con el banco'.

Se usa la preposición 'a' para indicar a quién se le debe el dinero. Por ejemplo: 'Adeudo cien euros *a* mi jefe'.

Sí, es un término estándar en todo el mundo hispanohablante, especialmente en contextos profesionales y legales, aunque en el habla cotidiana la gente siempre prefiere 'deber'.

Es un cargo o un cobro que el banco hace en tu cuenta. Es el sustantivo derivado de la idea de 'adeudar'.

Sí, es muy común para describir una deuda que duró un tiempo: 'En aquel entonces, yo adeudaba mucho dinero'.

El antónimo más directo es 'abonar' (en contabilidad) o 'pagar' (en general). También 'saldar' o 'liquidar' una deuda.