This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Spanish
Vocabulary
desembolsar

B1 verb #7,000 most common 12 min read

desembolsar

Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips desembolsar in 30 Seconds

Explanation desembolsar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn how to talk about money and basic actions. 'Desembolsar' is a bit advanced for this stage, but you can think of it as a very 'big' version of the word 'pagar' (to pay). Imagine you have a 'bolsa' (a bag or purse) full of coins. When you 'desembolsar,' you take the money out of that bag to give it to someone else. At this level, you don't need to use this word often, but if you hear it, just remember it means someone is paying a lot of money or making a very serious payment. For example, if you buy a house, you don't just 'pagar'; you 'desembolsar' a lot of money. It is a formal word. In A1, we usually use 'pagar' for everything: 'Yo pago el café,' 'Él paga la cuenta.' But 'desembolsar' is like the boss of 'pagar.' It is used for important things. You might see it on a sign at a bank or in a very simple news story about a lottery winner who has to pay taxes. Just focus on the 'bolsa' part of the word to help you remember that it is about money moving from a bag to a person. It is a regular verb, so it follows the same rules as 'hablar' or 'caminar.' I desembolso, you desembolsas, he desembolsa. Even if you don't use it yet, knowing it will make you sound very smart when you eventually do!

As an A2 learner, you are starting to handle more specific situations, like going to the bank or talking about your monthly expenses. 'Desembolsar' becomes useful when you want to describe a payment that feels more significant than just buying groceries. While 'pagar' is your go-to verb for everyday transactions, 'desembolsar' adds a layer of formality and weight. You might use it when talking about your rent, a university fee, or a car repair. For example, 'Tuve que desembolsar mucho dinero para arreglar mi coche.' This sounds more descriptive and precise than just saying 'pagué mucho dinero.' It implies that the money came from your savings or a specific budget. At this level, you should also notice the noun 'desembolso.' If you see a document that says 'Desembolso inicial,' it means the 'initial payment' or 'down payment.' Understanding this word helps you navigate more 'adult' situations in Spanish-speaking countries. You will often find it in contexts involving loans, insurance, or large purchases. Remember, it's about the 'act of paying out.' It is a transitive verb, so you always 'desembolsar' an amount of money. Practice using it when you talk about your bigger expenses to start sounding more natural and sophisticated in your Spanish conversations.

At the B1 level, you are expected to handle a variety of topics, including professional and financial ones. 'Desembolsar' is a key vocabulary word for this stage because it allows you to distinguish between different types of financial actions. In B1, you move beyond simple verbs like 'pagar' and start using more precise terms. 'Desembolsar' is specifically used for the 'disbursement' or 'payout' of funds. This is very common in business contexts, such as when a company releases a budget for a project or when a bank finalizes a loan. For instance, 'El banco desembolsó el crédito ayer.' It is also used in legal and administrative settings. If you are applying for a visa or a grant, you might read that you need to 'desembolsar' certain fees. A significant part of mastering 'desembolsar' at this level is understanding its register. It is a formal word. Using it in a casual conversation about a cheap meal would sound out of place or sarcastic. However, using it to discuss your mortgage or a business investment is perfect. You should also be comfortable with its synonyms like 'abonar' (to pay/credit) and 'sufragar' (to cover costs). By using 'desembolsar,' you demonstrate a higher level of linguistic competence and an ability to discuss financial matters with the appropriate terminology. It shows you understand not just the meaning of the word, but also its social and professional context.

For B2 learners, 'desembolsar' is an essential part of your financial and formal lexicon. At this level, you should not only know what the word means but also be able to use it fluently in complex sentences and understand its nuances compared to related terms. 'Desembolsar' implies a formal process of releasing funds from a source. It is frequently used in macroeconomic discussions, corporate finance, and high-level administration. For example, you might read an article about how 'El Fondo Monetario Internacional ha decidido desembolsar el próximo tramo del rescate financiero.' Here, the word conveys the idea of a structured, conditional release of money. You should also be aware of the emotional or rhetorical weight the word can carry in personal contexts. When an individual 'desembolsa' a large sum, it often implies a significant sacrifice or a major life event. Furthermore, at the B2 level, you should be able to use the word in different grammatical structures, such as the passive voice ('Los fondos serán desembolsados el próximo mes') or with complex objects ('desembolsar una cantidad astronómica en concepto de indemnización'). You should also be able to distinguish it from 'reembolsar' (to refund) and 'embolsar' (to pocket/earn), avoiding common pitfalls. Mastery of 'desembolsar' at this level means you can participate in professional meetings, understand financial news in detail, and express complex financial situations with precision and the correct formal tone.

At the C1 level, your understanding of 'desembolsar' should be deep and nuanced. You should be able to use it in highly specialized contexts, such as legal contracts, economic theories, and sophisticated literature. At this stage, you recognize that 'desembolsar' is not just about the act of paying, but about the 'liquidity' and 'flow' of capital. You might use it to discuss the 'desembolso de capital' in a venture capital context, where it refers to the actual transfer of investment funds after a deal is closed. You should also be comfortable with the metaphorical or slightly ironic uses of the word in high-level discourse. For instance, a writer might use 'desembolsar' to describe someone giving up something valuable that isn't money, though this is rare and highly stylistic. Your vocabulary should also include related technical terms like 'desembolsos en efectivo' (cash disbursements) or 'cronograma de desembolsos' (disbursement schedule). You should be able to analyze the use of this word in political speeches, where it might be used to emphasize the government's commitment to a cause ('Hemos desembolsado millones para la educación'). At C1, you also understand the regional variations in the frequency of this word and can adapt your usage accordingly. You are able to contrast it with very formal synonyms like 'erogar' (to spend/distribute funds, common in some Latin American legal contexts) or more literary terms. Essentially, 'desembolsar' is a tool in your repertoire that allows you to speak and write with the precision of a native professional.

As a C2 learner, you have reached a level of mastery where 'desembolsar' is a word you use with total precision and stylistic awareness. You understand its historical roots and how its usage has evolved in the modern financial system. You can use it in the most formal of settings—such as a board of directors meeting or a high court hearing—without hesitation. You are also aware of the subtle differences between 'desembolsar' and its most technical synonyms in various Spanish-speaking jurisdictions. For example, you might know that in some administrative codes, 'erogación' is used more frequently than 'desembolso' to describe public spending. You can use the word to construct complex arguments about fiscal policy, such as discussing the 'velocidad de desembolso de los fondos públicos' and its impact on inflation. Your mastery also extends to the word's role in collocations and idiomatic expressions used in the business world. You can effortlessly switch between the verb and the noun 'desembolso' to vary your prose and maintain a high level of academic or professional writing. At this level, 'desembolsar' is not just a word you know; it is a word you own, using it to convey exact meanings about the movement of capital, the fulfillment of obligations, and the strategic release of resources. You can also appreciate and use the word in sophisticated humor or irony, playing with its formal connotations to make a point about greed, extravagance, or bureaucracy.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

desembolsar in 30 Seconds

Desembolsar is a formal Spanish verb meaning to pay out or disburse a significant amount of money from a source or fund.
It is commonly used in business, legal, and financial contexts, as well as when discussing large personal expenses like cars or tuition.
The word literally relates to taking money out of a 'bolsa' (purse), distinguishing it from the more general and common verb 'pagar.'
It is essential for B1 learners and above to master this word to sound professional and precise when discussing money matters.

The Spanish verb desembolsar is a sophisticated and precise term primarily used within the realms of finance, law, and significant personal expenditures. At its most basic level, it translates to 'to pay out' or 'to disburse,' but its connotations go much deeper than the simple verb 'pagar' (to pay). To understand this word, one must look at its morphology: the prefix 'des-' (indicating removal or reversal) combined with 'embolsar' (to put into a purse or pocket, from 'bolsa'). Therefore, to desembolsar is literally to take something out of your purse or bag, typically money, to fulfill an obligation or complete a large purchase.

Formal Context: In a formal or business setting, this word describes the official release of funds. For instance, a bank might desembolsar a loan after all the paperwork is signed, or a government might desembolsar a subsidy to a specific industry.

La empresa tuvo que desembolsar una gran suma de dinero para cubrir los gastos de la nueva infraestructura tecnológica.

In everyday Spanish, you will hear people use this word when they are talking about spending a large amount of money that they might have been saving or that feels like a significant hit to their finances. It carries a certain weight; you wouldn't usually use 'desembolsar' for buying a cup of coffee or a newspaper. Instead, you use it for buying a car, paying a university tuition, or settling a large debt. It implies a process of extracting funds from a stored source, such as a savings account or a specific budget allocation.

Economic Nuance: Economists use this term to describe the actual flow of cash. While an 'expense' might be recorded when a contract is signed, the 'desembolso' happens when the money actually leaves the account.

El fondo de inversión decidió desembolsar el capital en tres etapas diferentes para asegurar el cumplimiento de los objetivos.

Culturally, using 'desembolsar' can also signal a bit of reluctance or the gravity of the payment. If a friend says, 'Tuve que desembolsar quinientos euros por la reparación del aire acondicionado,' they are emphasizing that it was a significant and perhaps painful payment. It highlights the act of parting with one's hard-earned money. In Latin American countries as well as in Spain, the word maintains this high-register feel, making it essential for anyone looking to navigate professional environments or discuss personal finance with precision.

Legal Usage: In legal documents, 'desembolsar' is the standard term for the payment of damages, legal fees, or the distribution of an inheritance. It is precise and lacks the ambiguity of more common verbs.

El juez ordenó a la aseguradora desembolsar la indemnización a las víctimas del accidente de forma inmediata.

¿Cuánto dinero vas a tener que desembolsar para la entrada del nuevo apartamento?

Para participar en la subasta, es necesario desembolsar una fianza previa como garantía de seriedad.

Using desembolsar correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure and the typical nouns it accompanies. As a regular '-ar' verb, its conjugation follows the standard pattern (desembolso, desembolsas, desembolsa, etc.), making it relatively easy to integrate into your speech once you master its meaning. However, the true skill lies in knowing which contexts benefit from this specific verb rather than 'pagar' or 'gastar.'

Direct Objects: The direct object of 'desembolsar' is almost always a quantity of money, a specific currency, or a financial instrument. Common objects include 'una suma,' 'una cantidad,' 'millones,' 'el capital,' or 'los fondos.'

El gobierno ha anunciado que va a desembolsar los fondos para la reconstrucción de la zona afectada por el huracán.

When discussing the reason for the payment, we often use the preposition 'para' (to/for) or 'en concepto de' (in the capacity of/as). This clarifies what the money is being used for. For example, 'desembolsar dinero para la matrícula' or 'desembolsar una cantidad en concepto de depósito.' This structure is very common in administrative and educational contexts where every payment must be categorized.

Passive and Impersonal Forms: In financial reporting, you will often see the passive voice or impersonal 'se.' This shifts the focus from who is paying to the fact that the money is being released. 'Se desembolsarán los pagos el próximo lunes' (The payments will be disbursed next Monday).

Una vez aprobada la hipoteca, el banco procederá a desembolsar el préstamo directamente al vendedor.

Another interesting usage is when 'desembolsar' is used reflexively, though this is much rarer and usually refers to the act of paying something out of one's own pocket: 'desembolsarse.' However, the standard transitive use is far more prevalent. You should also be aware of the noun form, 'desembolso,' which refers to the payment itself or the act of paying. 'El desembolso inicial fue de diez mil euros.'

Temporal Aspect: The verb often appears with adverbs of time or frequency, such as 'inmediatamente,' 'periódicamente,' or 'finalmente,' highlighting the timing of the financial release.

No es necesario desembolsar todo el dinero de una vez; puedes hacerlo en plazos mensuales.

Si decides comprar esa propiedad, tendrás que desembolsar una cantidad considerable en impuestos y gastos notariales.

Los socios acordaron desembolsar capital adicional para evitar la quiebra de la pequeña empresa familiar.

In the real world, desembolsar is a staple of news broadcasts, banking interactions, and administrative procedures. If you watch the Spanish news program 'Telediario' or read a financial newspaper like 'Expansión' or 'El Economista,' you will encounter this word daily. It is the preferred term for discussing state budgets, international aid, and corporate mergers. It provides a level of seriousness and technical accuracy that 'pagar' simply doesn't offer.

At the Bank: When you apply for a personal loan or a mortgage in a Spanish-speaking country, the bank officer will use 'desembolsar' to describe the moment the money is transferred to your account or to the seller. They might say, 'El desembolso se realizará en 24 horas.'

Antes de que el banco pueda desembolsar el crédito, debemos verificar todos sus documentos de identidad y de ingresos.

In the context of the European Union, 'desembolsar' is frequently used in discussions about the NextGenerationEU funds or other regional subsidies. You will hear politicians debating whether the conditions have been met for the EU to 'desembolsar el siguiente tramo de las ayudas' (disburse the next tranche of aid). This usage highlights the conditional nature of the payment—money is only released once specific criteria are satisfied.

Real Estate and Legal: Notaries and lawyers use this word constantly. When a property is sold, the 'desembolso' of the price and the associated taxes is a critical step in the 'escrituración' (signing of the deed) process.

El comprador tuvo que desembolsar una comisión adicional para la agencia inmobiliaria que gestionó la venta.

You might also hear this word in sports news, particularly during the transfer windows. When a team like Real Madrid or FC Barcelona signs a new player, the media will report on the 'millonaria suma' that the club had to 'desembolsar' to acquire the player's rights. It adds a touch of drama and emphasizes the magnitude of the investment. Similarly, in the world of technology and startups, 'desembolsar' is used when venture capital firms release funding rounds to new companies.

Complaining about Costs: Even in more informal settings, people use it to complain. 'No me esperaba tener que desembolsar tanto dinero por un simple arreglo del coche.' Here, it emphasizes the unexpected and large nature of the cost.

Para obtener la visa de estudiante, los solicitantes deben demostrar que pueden desembolsar lo suficiente para su manutención.

La fundación se comprometió a desembolsar becas para los estudiantes con mejores expedientes académicos del país.

Tras la auditoría, el tesorero tuvo que desembolsar los fondos que habían sido retenidos por error administrativo.

While desembolsar is a straightforward verb, its formal nature and specific meaning lead to several common pitfalls for English speakers and intermediate Spanish learners. The most frequent error is using it in contexts where the amount of money is trivial. Language is all about register, and using a 'heavyweight' word for a 'lightweight' action can sound strange or even sarcastic.

Register Mismatch: Mistake: 'Tuve que desembolsar dos euros por el pan.' (I had to disburse two euros for the bread). Correct: 'Pagué dos euros por el pan.' Unless you are being intentionally dramatic or ironic about the price of bread, 'pagar' is the appropriate choice here.

No deberías usar desembolsar para compras cotidianas y pequeñas; resérvalo para gastos importantes o procesos oficiales.

Another common confusion arises between 'desembolsar' and 'reembolsar.' While they sound similar and both relate to money, they are opposites in terms of direction. 'Desembolsar' is to pay out or spend money from a fund. 'Reembolsar' is to refund or pay back money to someone. Learners often mix these up when talking about getting their money back from a store or an insurance company.

Confusing with 'Gastar': 'Gastar' means to spend in a general sense, often implying consumption. 'Desembolsar' is more about the act of making the payment available. You 'gastar' money on clothes (consuming the value), but you 'desembolsar' the funds for a business investment (releasing the capital).

Es un error decir que vas a desembolsar tiempo; el tiempo se gasta o se invierte, pero no se desembolsa, ya que no es dinero físico.

Grammatically, learners sometimes forget that 'desembolsar' is a transitive verb and try to use it without an object or with the wrong preposition. You desembolsar *something* (the money). You don't 'desembolsar de' the money. However, you can say 'desembolsar dinero *de* una cuenta' (disburse money from an account), where 'de' indicates the source, not the object of the verb.

Prepositional Errors: Mistake: 'Desembolsamos por la casa.' Correct: 'Desembolsamos una gran suma por la casa.' The verb needs the amount to feel complete in most professional contexts.

Al hablar de impuestos, recuerda que el contribuyente es quien tiene que desembolsar el importe total al estado.

Muchos estudiantes extranjeros se sorprenden al tener que desembolsar el seguro médico por adelantado para obtener su visado.

El director financiero advirtió que no se podría desembolsar ni un euro más hasta que se revisara el presupuesto anual.

To truly master desembolsar, you must be able to distinguish it from its many synonyms. Spanish is a language rich in financial vocabulary, and choosing the right word can change the tone of your sentence from casual to professional, or from neutral to descriptive. Below, we compare 'desembolsar' with other common verbs related to paying and spending.

Pagar vs. Desembolsar: 'Pagar' is the most general term. You can pay for a coffee, a debt, or a compliment. 'Desembolsar' is specifically about the act of taking money out of a fund or purse, usually for a large or formal payment. Use 'pagar' for daily life and 'desembolsar' for financial discussions.

Mientras que cualquiera puede pagar una cena, solo una entidad financiera suele desembolsar un crédito hipotecario.

'Abonar' is another close synonym, often used in the sense of 'to credit' or 'to pay a portion of a debt.' It is very common in banking and utility bills. 'Costear' or 'sufragar' are used when talking about covering the costs of something, like a project or an event. 'Sufragar los gastos de la campaña' sounds very formal and is common in political contexts.

Gastar vs. Desembolsar: 'Gastar' focuses on the reduction of your resources (you have less money now). 'Desembolsar' focuses on the transaction itself—the release of the funds from where they were kept.

Si decides sufragar el viaje de tus padres, tendrás que desembolsar una cantidad importante este mes.

For technical financial contexts, 'liquidar' is often used when a debt is being paid off completely, or when a company's assets are being sold. 'Soltar' (literally 'to let go') is another informal way to describe paying money, often used when the payment feels like a loss. 'Tuve que soltar cien pavos por la multa' (I had to drop/pay a hundred bucks for the fine).

Invertir vs. Desembolsar: 'Invertir' (to invest) implies that you expect a return on your money. 'Desembolsar' is just the act of paying. You 'desembolsar' the capital in order to 'invertir' in a new startup.

El cliente prefirió liquidar su deuda pendiente antes de desembolsar más dinero en nuevas inversiones de riesgo.

Para evitar intereses de demora, la empresa optó por desembolsar el pago total de las facturas antes de la fecha de vencimiento.

No es lo mismo gastar dinero en caprichos que desembolsar fondos para la educación de tus hijos.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'bolsa' itself comes from the Latin 'bursa', which meant a leather bag. This is the same root for the English word 'purse' and the financial term 'Bourse' (meaning stock exchange). So when you 'desembolsar', you are literally 'de-pursing' your money!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /des.em.bolˈsar/

US /des.em.bolˈsar/

The stress is on the last syllable 'sar' because it is an infinitive ending in 'r'.

Rhymes With

pagar hablar caminar comprar ahorrar ingresar cobrar llegar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 's' as a 'z' sound; in Spanish, 's' is always voiceless like in 'sun'.
Failing to pronounce both 'e' sounds clearly; it is 'des-em-bol-sar', not 'des-im-bol-sar'.
Not tapping the final 'r' correctly.
Stressing the wrong syllable, like 'des-EM-bol-sar'.
Mumbling the 'm' before the 'b'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and formal texts, easy to recognize once you know 'bolsa'.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of formal register to use correctly without sounding odd.

Speaking 4/5

Learners often default to 'pagar,' so using 'desembolsar' takes conscious effort.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to hear in formal broadcasts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

bolsa pagar dinero gastar cuenta

Learn Next

reembolsar sufragar erogar amortizar financiar

Advanced

partida presupuestaria flujo de caja balance de situación activo circulante pasivo exigible

Grammar to Know

Regular -ar verb conjugation

Yo desembolso, tú desembolsas, él desembolsa.

Transitive verb usage

Desembolsar [objeto directo: el dinero].

Passive 'se' for impersonal actions

Se desembolsarán los fondos mañana.

Prepositional use with 'para' and 'por'

Desembolsar dinero para la casa / por la multa.

Infinitive as a noun

El desembolsar dinero es parte del negocio.

Examples by Level

Yo tengo que desembolsar dinero para el libro.

I have to pay out money for the book.

Simple present tense of 'desembolsar' with a direct object.

¿Quieres desembolsar el dinero ahora?

Do you want to pay out the money now?

Infinitive form used after the verb 'querer'.

Mi padre desembolsa el dinero del coche.

My father pays out the money for the car.

Third person singular present tense.

Ellos no quieren desembolsar mucho dinero.

They do not want to pay out much money.

Negative sentence with the auxiliary 'no'.

Nosotros desembolsamos dinero para la fiesta.

We pay out money for the party.

First person plural present tense.

Tú desembolsas diez euros hoy.

You pay out ten euros today.

Second person singular present tense.

Ella desembolsa el pago de la escuela.

She pays out the school payment.

Direct object 'el pago' follows the verb.

¿Quién va a desembolsar el dinero?

Who is going to pay out the money?

Future construction with 'ir a' + infinitive.

Ayer tuve que desembolsar cien euros por la multa.

Yesterday I had to pay out a hundred euros for the fine.

Preterite tense of 'tener que' followed by infinitive.

El mes que viene desembolsaré la matrícula de la universidad.

Next month I will pay out the university tuition.

Future tense of 'desembolsar'.

No es fácil desembolsar tanto dinero de repente.

It is not easy to pay out so much money suddenly.

Infinitive used as the subject of the sentence.

Mi abuelo desembolsó sus ahorros para ayudarnos.

My grandfather paid out his savings to help us.

Preterite tense of 'desembolsar'.

¿Cuánto dinero has desembolsado por el viaje?

How much money have you paid out for the trip?

Present perfect tense.

Ella siempre desembolsa lo necesario para sus hijos.

She always pays out what is necessary for her children.

Use of 'lo necesario' as a direct object.

Tuvimos que desembolsar una fianza para el piso.

We had to pay out a deposit for the apartment.

Preterite tense.

El banco no desembolsó el dinero a tiempo.

The bank did not pay out the money on time.

Negative preterite tense.

Es necesario desembolsar una gran suma para iniciar este negocio.

It is necessary to disburse a large sum to start this business.

Formal use of 'desembolsar' in a business context.

El gobierno desembolsará las ayudas a los agricultores la próxima semana.

The government will disburse the aid to farmers next week.

Future tense in an administrative context.

Si quieres el coche, tendrás que desembolsar el pago inicial hoy mismo.

If you want the car, you will have to pay the down payment this very today.

Conditional 'si' clause with future 'tendrás que'.

La empresa ha desembolsado millones en investigación y desarrollo.

The company has disbursed millions in research and development.

Present perfect tense with 'millones' as object.

¿Crees que el banco desembolsará el préstamo sin problemas?

Do you think the bank will disburse the loan without problems?

Subjunctive could be used here but future is also common for certainty.

Tuvimos que desembolsar una cantidad considerable en gastos de envío.

We had to disburse a considerable amount in shipping costs.

Use of 'cantidad considerable' as a direct object.

El seguro no quiso desembolsar la indemnización tras el accidente.

The insurance company did not want to disburse the compensation after the accident.

Preterite tense with 'no quiso' (refusal).

Para participar en la subasta, hay que desembolsar un depósito previo.

To participate in the auction, one must disburse a prior deposit.

Impersonal 'hay que' + infinitive.

La entidad financiera procederá a desembolsar los fondos una vez revisada la documentación.

The financial entity will proceed to disburse the funds once the documentation has been reviewed.

Formal construction 'procederá a' + infinitive.

A pesar de la crisis, el estado decidió desembolsar el presupuesto para cultura.

Despite the crisis, the state decided to disburse the budget for culture.

Use of 'a pesar de' to show contrast.

No me esperaba tener que desembolsar tanto dinero en impuestos este año.

I didn't expect to have to disburse so much money in taxes this year.

Compound infinitive structure 'tener que desembolsar'.

Los accionistas acordaron desembolsar capital adicional para expandir la empresa.

The shareholders agreed to disburse additional capital to expand the company.

Preterite tense with 'acordaron'.

El juez ordenó a la empresa desembolsar los salarios atrasados a sus trabajadores.

The judge ordered the company to disburse the overdue salaries to its workers.

Indirect object 'a sus trabajadores' with the direct object 'los salarios'.

Es probable que el banco no desembolse el dinero hasta el próximo trimestre.

It is likely that the bank will not disburse the money until next quarter.

Present subjunctive 'desembolse' after 'es probable que'.

Tuvimos que desembolsar una fianza para garantizar el cumplimiento del contrato.

We had to disburse a bond to guarantee the fulfillment of the contract.

Use of 'para' to express purpose.

La fundación desembolsará becas para estudiantes con pocos recursos.

The foundation will disburse scholarships for students with few resources.

Future tense in a formal context.

El cronograma de pagos estipula que la tesorería debe desembolsar los fondos de manera escalonada.

The payment schedule stipulates that the treasury must disburse the funds in a staggered manner.

Technical financial vocabulary 'tesorería' and 'escalonada'.

Resulta imperativo desembolsar la partida presupuestaria antes del cierre del ejercicio fiscal.

It is imperative to disburse the budget allocation before the end of the fiscal year.

Use of 'resulta imperativo' to express necessity.

La multinacional tuvo que desembolsar una indemnización millonaria tras perder el litigio.

The multinational had to disburse a million-dollar compensation after losing the litigation.

Use of 'millonaria' as an adjective for the amount.

Dudo que la entidad se arriesgue a desembolsar tal cantidad sin garantías hipotecarias.

I doubt the entity will risk disbursing such an amount without mortgage guarantees.

Present subjunctive 'desembolsar' (infinitive after risk) and 'arriesgue'.

El retraso en desembolsar los fondos ha provocado una crisis de liquidez en la pequeña empresa.

The delay in disbursing the funds has caused a liquidity crisis in the small company.

Infinitive used as a noun after the preposition 'en'.

Para evitar la quiebra, los socios se vieron obligados a desembolsar sus propios ahorros.

To avoid bankruptcy, the partners were forced to disburse their own savings.

Passive construction 'se vieron obligados a'.

El banco central decidió desembolsar liquidez al sistema financiero para estabilizar el mercado.

The central bank decided to disburse liquidity into the financial system to stabilize the market.

Technical use of 'liquidez' as an object.

Es fundamental desembolsar los recursos de forma transparente para evitar sospechas de corrupción.

It is fundamental to disburse resources transparently to avoid suspicions of corruption.

Adverbial phrase 'de forma transparente'.

La celeridad con la que el organismo internacional procedió a desembolsar el tramo de ayuda fue encomiable.

The speed with which the international organization proceeded to disburse the aid tranche was commendable.

Sophisticated vocabulary: 'celeridad,' 'encomiable,' 'tramo'.

Cualquier retraso en desembolsar la partida asignada podría comprometer la viabilidad del proyecto macroeconómico.

Any delay in disbursing the assigned allocation could compromise the viability of the macroeconomic project.

Use of the conditional 'podría' to express potential consequences.

El erario público se ha visto mermado tras tener que desembolsar cuantiosas sumas en concepto de rescate bancario.

The public treasury has been depleted after having to disburse substantial sums as a bank bailout.

Technical terms: 'erario público,' 'mermado,' 'cuantiosas'.

Resulta paradójico que se exija desembolsar más capital cuando la rentabilidad es nula.

It is paradoxical that more capital is required to be disbursed when the profitability is zero.

Impersonal 'se exija' followed by infinitive.

La cláusula de rescisión obligaba al club a desembolsar el importe íntegro de la transferencia al contado.

The termination clause forced the club to disburse the full amount of the transfer in cash.

Legal-sporting terminology: 'cláusula de rescisión,' 'importe íntegro'.

El gobierno se comprometió a desembolsar los fondos de cohesión supeditados al cumplimiento de las reformas estructurales.

The government committed to disbursing the cohesion funds subject to the fulfillment of structural reforms.

Sophisticated construction 'supeditados al cumplimiento de'.

No podemos obviar la necesidad de desembolsar recursos ingentes para paliar los efectos del cambio climático.

We cannot ignore the need to disburse massive resources to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Use of 'ingentes' (massive) and 'paliar' (mitigate).

La auditoría reveló que se habían desembolsado fondos sin la debida autorización del consejo de administración.

The audit revealed that funds had been disbursed without proper authorization from the board of directors.

Past perfect passive construction.

Common Collocations

desembolsar una cantidad

desembolsar los fondos

desembolsar el capital

desembolsar una suma

desembolsar en efectivo

desembolsar por adelantado

desembolsar una fianza

desembolsar el préstamo

desembolsar la indemnización

desembolsar el presupuesto

Common Phrases

tener que desembolsar

— To be forced or required to pay a certain amount. It emphasizes the obligation.

Mañana tendré que desembolsar el dinero del alquiler.

negarse a desembolsar

— To refuse to pay or release funds. Often used in disputes.

El cliente se negó a desembolsar el pago final.

proceder a desembolsar

— To start the official process of paying out funds. Very formal banking term.

El banco procederá a desembolsar el crédito mañana.

desembolsar de su bolsillo

— To pay for something with one's own money, often unexpectedly.

El empleado tuvo que desembolsar los gastos de viaje de su bolsillo.

desembolsar en plazos

— To pay an amount in several installments rather than all at once.

Podemos desembolsar la deuda en doce plazos mensuales.

desembolsar una fortuna

— To pay an extremely large and perhaps excessive amount of money.

Tuvieron que desembolsar una fortuna para salvar la empresa.

desembolsar sin previo aviso

— To pay or be asked to pay without any advance warning.

Me pidieron desembolsar la tasa sin previo aviso.

desembolsar con retraso

— To make a payment after the agreed-upon or expected date.

La empresa desembolsó las nóminas con retraso este mes.

desembolsar lo pactado

— To pay the exact amount that was previously agreed upon in a contract.

Ambas partes deben desembolsar lo pactado inicialmente.

desembolsar para gastos

— To release funds specifically intended to cover various costs.

Se debe desembolsar una partida para gastos de oficina.

Often Confused With

desembolsar vs reembolsar

To refund or pay back. 'Des-' is out, 'Re-' is back.

desembolsar vs embolsar

To pocket money or earn it. The opposite of paying out.

desembolsar vs dispersar

To scatter or disperse (like a crowd), not specifically for money.

Idioms & Expressions

"aflojar la mosca"

— A very informal way to say 'to cough up the money' or 'to pay up.' It's similar to 'apoquinar.'

Venga, afloja la mosca, que te toca pagar a ti.

slang

"rascarse el bolsillo"

— To scratch one's pocket; meaning to pay for something, usually when it's expensive or you don't want to.

Si quieres ir al concierto, tendrás que rascarte el bolsillo.

informal

"soltar la guita"

— Common in Argentina and Uruguay; 'guita' means money. To pay up or release the cash.

El jefe tuvo que soltar la guita para el bono.

informal/regional

"pasar por caja"

— Literally 'to go through the checkout.' Idiomatically, it means to have to pay for something.

Si rompes algo en la tienda, tendrás que pasar por caja.

neutral

"pagar el pato"

— To pay for the duck; meaning to take the blame or pay for someone else's mistake.

Yo no hice nada, pero al final me tocó pagar el pato.

informal

"tirar la casa por la ventana"

— To throw the house out the window; to spend a lot of money, usually on a celebration.

Para su boda, decidieron tirar la casa por la ventana.

informal

"costar un ojo de la cara"

— To cost an eye from the face; meaning to be extremely expensive.

Ese coche nuevo le costó un ojo de la cara.

informal

"estar forrado"

— To be 'lined' with money; meaning to be very rich (so you can desembolsar easily).

Él puede comprar lo que quiera, está forrado.

informal

"hacer el agosto"

— To make one's August; to make a lot of money in a short time (often by selling things).

Los heladeros hacen el agosto durante el verano.

informal

"no tener un duro"

— To not have a 'duro' (old 5-peseta coin); to be completely broke.

No puedo ir al cine, no tengo un duro.

informal (Spain)

Easily Confused

desembolsar vs abonar

Both involve paying money.

'Abonar' is often for paying a part of a debt or a subscription. 'Desembolsar' is the act of releasing the funds from a source.

Aboné mi mensualidad del gimnasio.

desembolsar vs gastar

Both involve spending.

'Gastar' is general and implies the money is gone. 'Desembolsar' is the specific act of the payout.

Gasté mucho en la cena.

desembolsar vs invertir

Large payments are often investments.

'Invertir' focuses on the future gain. 'Desembolsar' focuses on the current payment.

Invertí en acciones.

desembolsar vs sufragar

Both are formal.

'Sufragar' means to cover the total costs of something. 'Desembolsar' is the act of paying the money.

El gobierno sufragó el proyecto.

desembolsar vs pagar

They are synonyms.

'Pagar' is everyday and general. 'Desembolsar' is formal and for large amounts.

Pagué el pan.

Sentence Patterns

Yo + desembolsar + dinero.

Yo desembolso dinero.

Tener que + desembolsar + [cantidad].

Tengo que desembolsar cien euros.

El banco + desembolsar + el préstamo.

El banco desembolsó el préstamo.

Se + desembolsar + [fondos] + [fecha].

Se desembolsarán los fondos el lunes.

Resulta necesario + desembolsar + [partida].

Resulta necesario desembolsar la partida presupuestaria.

Desembolsar + [cantidad] + en concepto de + [motivo].

Desembolsó diez mil euros en concepto de fianza.

Supeditado a + desembolsar + [capital].

El acuerdo está supeditado a desembolsar el capital.

Proceder a + desembolsar + de forma escalonada.

La tesorería procederá a desembolsar de forma escalonada.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in business and news; moderate in daily speech for large costs.

Common Mistakes

Using 'desembolsar' for small, everyday items. → Pagar el pan / Pagar el café.
Desembolsar is for large or formal payments. Using it for bread sounds strange.
Confusing 'desembolsar' with 'reembolsar'. → El banco me reembolsó el dinero (The bank refunded me).
Desembolsar is money going out; reembolsar is money coming back.
Using 'desembolsar' with time or effort. → Invertir tiempo / Gastar energía.
Desembolsar is strictly for financial assets and money.
Omitting the direct object. → Tuvimos que desembolsar una gran suma.
The verb feels incomplete without mentioning what was disbursed.
Misspelling as 'disembolsar'. → Desembolsar.
Learners often follow the English 'disburse' and change the 'e' to 'i'.

Tips

Think of the Bag

Always associate 'desembolsar' with 'bolsa'. If you imagine opening a bag to take out money, you will never forget the meaning.

Direct Object Needed

Remember that this verb usually needs a direct object (what you are paying). Don't just say 'Él desembolsó'; say 'Él desembolsó mil euros'.

Use in Business

Switch from 'pagar' to 'desembolsar' in your business Spanish to immediately sound more professional and high-level.

News Trigger

When you hear 'fondos' or 'presupuesto' in the news, listen for 'desembolsar' immediately after. They are frequently paired.

The 'Des-' Rule

Think of 'Des-' as 'Disburse'. Both start with the same sound and mean the same thing in a financial context.

Noun Power

Don't forget the noun 'desembolso'. It's very useful for writing reports: 'Se requiere un desembolso inicial de...'.

Irony Alert

You can use 'desembolsar' for small amounts to be funny or complain about prices: '¡Tuve que desembolsar cinco euros por esta birra!'.

Institutional Use

Banks and governments 'desembolsan'. Use this verb when talking about institutions to sound like a native.

Clear Vowels

Ensure the 'e' in 'des-' and 'em-' are identical. Spanish vowels are very consistent.

Des vs Re

Always double-check if you mean 'desembolsar' (pay out) or 'reembolsar' (get money back). Mixing them up is a common B1 mistake.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the word 'BOLSA' (bag). 'DES-' means 'away/out'. So 'DES-EM-BOLSA-R' is 'OUT of the BAG'. When you pay for something big, you take the money OUT of your BAG.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant leather purse with a zipper. You unzip it and a stream of gold coins flows out into a bank vault. That visual of money leaving the bag is 'desembolsar'.

Word Web

Dinero Banco Pago Bolsa Gasto Inversión Factura Ahorros

Challenge

Try to use 'desembolsar' instead of 'pagar' at least three times today when talking about large expenses like rent, bills, or big purchases.

Word Origin

The word 'desembolsar' is formed by the Spanish prefix 'des-' and the verb 'embolsar'. The prefix 'des-' comes from Latin 'dis-', meaning apart or in different directions, and in this context, it signifies the reversal of an action. 'Embolsar' comes from 'en-' (in) and 'bolsa' (bag/purse).

Original meaning: To take something out of a bag or purse.

Romance (Spanish)

Cultural Context

Avoid using 'desembolsar' for very small amounts unless you are being intentionally funny, as it can sound like you are complaining excessively about a small cost.

The closest English equivalent is 'to disburse' or 'to pay out.' While 'disburse' is mostly used for organizations, 'desembolsar' is used by both organizations and individuals for significant payments.

News headlines about EU funds: 'España recibirá el próximo desembolso de los fondos europeos.' Financial reports by the 'Banco de España.' Legal texts in the 'Código Civil' regarding the return of deposits.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Banking and Loans

desembolsar el crédito
fecha de desembolso
fondos desembolsados
solicitud de desembolso

Real Estate

desembolsar la entrada
desembolsar la fianza
gastos a desembolsar
desembolso inicial

Business Administration

desembolsar el capital social
desembolsar dividendos
autorizar el desembolso
desembolso de gastos

Legal and Insurance

desembolsar la indemnización
desembolsar costas judiciales
obligación de desembolsar
reclamar el desembolso

Personal Finance

desembolsar ahorros
tener que desembolsar
desembolsar por un imprevisto
evitar desembolsar

Conversation Starters

"¿Alguna vez has tenido que desembolsar una gran suma de dinero por algo inesperado?"

"¿Crees que es mejor desembolsar todo el dinero de una vez o pagar en plazos?"

"¿Cuánto dinero tuviste que desembolsar para tu último viaje al extranjero?"

"¿Sabes cuándo va a desembolsar el gobierno las nuevas ayudas para estudiantes?"

"¿Te duele más desembolsar dinero en impuestos o en facturas de reparación?"

Journal Prompts

Describe una situación en la que tuviste que desembolsar una cantidad importante de dinero. ¿Cómo te sentiste al hacerlo?

Escribe sobre una inversión que valga la pena desembolsar dinero hoy para obtener beneficios en el futuro.

Imagina que eres el tesorero de una gran empresa. ¿Qué criterios usarías para decidir cuándo desembolsar los fondos de un proyecto?

¿Cuál ha sido el mayor desembolso que has hecho en tu vida y qué aprendiste de esa experiencia financiera?

Reflexiona sobre la diferencia entre gastar dinero en cosas pequeñas y desembolsar dinero en grandes proyectos de vida.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No es recomendable a menos que quieras ser irónico. 'Desembolsar' se usa para cantidades grandes o pagos formales. Para un café, lo normal es decir 'pagar'.

'Desembolsar' es pagar o entregar dinero. 'Reembolsar' es devolver el dinero a alguien, por ejemplo, cuando devuelves un producto en una tienda.

Sí, es un verbo regular terminado en -ar. Sigue el mismo modelo que 'amar' o 'hablar' en todos sus tiempos y personas.

Sí, es una palabra estándar en todo el mundo hispanohablante, especialmente en contextos profesionales, financieros y en los medios de comunicación.

El sustantivo es 'desembolso'. Se usa para referirse al acto de pagar o a la cantidad pagada. Ejemplo: 'El desembolso fue mayor de lo esperado'.

No, 'desembolsar' se aplica exclusivamente al dinero o fondos financieros. Para el tiempo, se usan verbos como 'gastar', 'invertir' o 'dedicar'.

Significa realizar el pago utilizando billetes y monedas físicas en lugar de usar una tarjeta de crédito o una transferencia bancaria.

Sí, es muy común. Se utiliza para describir el cumplimiento de obligaciones económicas dictadas por un juez o estipuladas en un contrato.

Es un calendario que detalla las fechas y las cantidades de dinero que se irán pagando a lo largo de un proyecto o préstamo.

Un sinónimo muy común e informal es 'apoquinar', que se usa cuando alguien tiene que pagar algo, a veces a regañadientes.