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existencias

B1 noun 9 min read

existencias

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips existencias in 30 Seconds

Explanation existencias in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to worry about complex accounting. Just think of 'existencias' as a fancy word for 'what is in the shop.' You might see it on a sign that says 'No hay existencias,' which simply means 'We don't have any.' It is a plural word, so we use 'las.' For a beginner, the most important thing is to recognize it in a store. If you want a toy and the clerk says 'No hay existencias,' you should understand that you cannot buy it today. It is like saying 'No more.' You can practice by looking at labels in a supermarket. Even if you don't use the word yourself yet, knowing it helps you understand why you can't find your favorite cereal. Remember, it's 'existencias' (plural), not just 'existencia.'

At the A2 level, you can start using 'existencias' in simple sentences about shopping. You should know the phrase 'hasta agotar existencias' because you will see it in every advertisement and supermarket brochure. It means 'until we run out.' You can also use it with basic verbs like 'tener' (to have) or 'haber' (there is/are). For example, 'La tienda tiene muchas existencias de pan.' You are moving beyond just recognizing the word to understanding its role in a sentence as a feminine plural noun. This is also a good time to learn that 'existencias' is more formal than 'cosas' (things). Instead of saying 'no hay cosas,' saying 'no hay existencias' makes you sound much more like a native speaker who understands how commerce works.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'existencias' in a professional or semi-professional context. This is the level where you distinguish between 'existencia' (existence) and 'existencias' (stock). You should be able to talk about business problems, such as 'El problema es que las existencias son limitadas.' You should also start pairing the noun with more specific adjectives like 'limitadas,' 'insuficientes,' or 'disponibles.' You might encounter this word in a listening exercise about a business owner complaining about their warehouse. You should understand that 'existencias' refers to the inventory and is a key part of managing a business. You can also start using the verb 'agotar' (to exhaust) with it, as in 'Se agotaron las existencias.'

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'existencias' with precision in business and economic discussions. You should understand terms like 'existencias de seguridad' (safety stock) and 'rotación de existencias' (inventory turnover). You can explain the difference between 'existencias' and 'inventario'—that one refers to the physical goods while the other refers to the list or process. In your writing, you should use 'existencias' to describe supply chain issues or retail strategies. You should also be aware of the register; while 'stock' is common in casual talk, 'existencias' is the required term for formal reports, exams, and academic writing. You should be able to use it in complex sentences with relative clauses, such as 'Las existencias que recibimos ayer ya se han vendido casi todas.'

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'existencias' within the framework of Spanish commercial law and accounting standards (like the PGC - Plan General de Contabilidad). You should be able to discuss 'valoración de existencias' (inventory valuation) using methods like FIFO or LIFO (PEPS or UEPS in Spanish). You understand that 'existencias' is a broad category encompassing 'materias primas,' 'productos semiterminados,' and 'mercaderías.' In a debate about the economy, you might discuss how 'el exceso de existencias' (excess inventory) can indicate a slowdown in consumer spending. Your use of the word should be effortless, and you should be able to use it in idiomatic or highly formal ways, such as in legal disclaimers or high-level financial analysis.

At the C2 level, 'existencias' is just one tool in your extensive vocabulary. You can use it to discuss complex logistical theories or historical economic shifts. You might analyze how 'la gestión de existencias justo a tiempo' (Just-in-Time inventory management) revolutionized the Spanish manufacturing sector. You are sensitive to the subtle connotations of the word in different Spanish-speaking regions, noting where 'existencias' is strictly formal and where it might be used more broadly. You can write sophisticated business proposals where 'la optimización de existencias' is a key goal. You also understand the metaphorical uses that might appear in literature, where a character's 'existencias' might refer to their meager worldly possessions or their remaining 'stock' of patience or time, though this is rare and highly stylistic.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

existencias in 30 Seconds

Existencias refers to the physical stock or inventory of goods in a business context.
It is almost always used in the plural and is a feminine noun (las existencias).
Commonly seen in retail phrases like 'hasta agotar existencias' (while supplies last).
In accounting, it represents current assets including raw materials and finished products.

The term existencias is a fundamental pillar of Spanish commercial and logistical vocabulary. While its singular form, existencia, often refers to the philosophical concept of being or 'existence,' the plural form is almost exclusively reserved for the world of business, retail, and inventory management. In English, we translate this most commonly as 'stock' or 'inventory.' It represents the physical goods that a business has on hand, ready to be sold or used in production. When you walk into a store and ask if they have a specific pair of shoes in your size, the clerk isn't checking if the shoes 'exist' in a metaphysical sense; they are checking the existencias in the back room.

Retail Context: In a shop, this refers to the products on the shelves and in the storage area. If a product is 'out of stock,' the Spanish phrase is 'agotamiento de existencias' or simply 'fuera de existencias.'

Debido a la alta demanda durante las rebajas, nuestras existencias se agotaron en menos de dos horas.

The usage of this word extends beyond just physical shops. In accounting, existencias are considered current assets on a balance sheet. They represent value that is expected to be converted into cash within a fiscal year. This includes raw materials (materias primas), work-in-progress (productos en curso), and finished goods (productos terminados). Understanding this word is crucial for anyone working in a Spanish-speaking professional environment, as it appears in every audit, supply chain report, and sales meeting. It carries a sense of tangible availability; it is the physical manifestation of a company's potential revenue.

Logistics Context: Refers to the volume of goods held in a warehouse (almacén). Managing these is called 'gestión de existencias.'

El sistema automatizado permite un control preciso de las existencias mínimas de seguridad.

Culturally, you will see this word plastered on store windows during sales seasons. Phrases like 'Liquidación por fin de existencias' (Clearance sale until stock ends) are ubiquitous in Spain and Latin America. It creates a sense of urgency for the consumer. It is also used in the context of food supplies during emergencies. If a news report mentions that 'las existencias de alimentos son escasas,' it means the food supply is running low. Thus, while it is a business term, its implications often touch on the daily survival and economic health of a community.

Accounting Label: In financial statements, it is the standard heading for Inventory.

Using existencias correctly requires an understanding of its typical verbal pairings. It is not just a static noun; it is something that is managed, depleted, or replenished. The most common verb used with it is agotar (to exhaust/run out). When a shop says 'existencias agotadas,' they are telling you they have zero stock left. Conversely, when they receive new items, they are reponiendo existencias (restocking).

Common Verb Pairings: Agotar (to run out), Reponer (to restock), Controlar (to monitor), Liquidar (to clear out).

Tenemos que reponer existencias antes de que empiece la temporada navideña.

Grammatically, remember that 'existencias' is a feminine plural noun. This means any adjectives describing it must also be feminine and plural. For example, 'existencias limitadas' (limited stock) or 'existencias insuficientes' (insufficient stock). If you are referring to the quantity, you use 'pocas' or 'muchas,' never 'poco' or 'mucho.' Saying 'hay mucho existencias' is a common error; the correct form is 'hay muchas existencias.'

Quedan muy pocas existencias de este modelo de televisor en el almacén central.

In a professional setting, you will often use the preposition en to describe the location of the stock. 'Existencias en almacén' (Stock in warehouse) or 'existencias en tienda' (Stock in store). You might also see 'existencias de seguridad,' which is a technical term for 'safety stock'—the extra inventory held to mitigate the risk of stockouts due to uncertainties in supply and demand. Mastery of these patterns allows you to navigate Spanish business environments with much higher precision.

Prepositional Use: 'Hasta agotar existencias' is the standard legal phrase for 'while supplies last.'

La oferta es válida solo hasta agotar existencias.

While the average person might use 'stock' in casual conversation, existencias is the king of formal and written communication. You will hear it in news broadcasts discussing economic indicators. For example, an anchor might say, 'Las existencias de petróleo han caído este trimestre,' referring to national oil reserves. This highlights that the word isn't just for small shops; it scales up to global commodities and national resources.

The News: Economic reports use it to discuss supply levels of grain, oil, or gas.

El informe indica que las existencias de trigo son suficientes para cubrir la demanda anual.

In the world of e-commerce, which is massive in Spain (with giants like El Corte Inglés or Inditex), 'existencias' is a key UI element. When shopping online, if a product page says 'Sin existencias,' it’s your cue to look elsewhere. In physical retail, employees use it during inventory days—those dreaded days when the shop closes early so the staff can count every single item. You'll hear them say, 'Estamos haciendo recuento de existencias' (We are doing a stock take/inventory count).

Lo siento, caballero, no nos quedan existencias de ese vino en particular.

Another common place is in the legal fine print of advertisements. Whenever you see a promotion for a free gift with a purchase, there is almost always a tiny line at the bottom of the screen or page that reads: 'Promoción limitada a 500 unidades o hasta fin de existencias.' This is a legal safeguard for companies so they aren't sued if they run out of the promotional item. Knowing this word helps you navigate the consumer landscape of Spanish-speaking countries more effectively.

Legal/Advertising: Used to limit liability in promotional offers.

Válido hasta fin de existencias.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is using the singular existencia when they mean 'stock.' In Spanish, existencia (singular) refers to the state of being alive or present. If you say 'No hay existencia de pan,' it sounds like you are making a philosophical claim that bread as a concept does not exist in the universe. To say there is no bread in the shop, you must use the plural: 'No hay existencias de pan.'

Singular vs. Plural: Existencia (Existence/Life) vs. Existencias (Stock/Inventory).

Incorrect: La existencia de este producto es baja.
Correct: Las existencias de este producto son bajas.

Another common pitfall is the gender of the word. Because it ends in '-as,' it is feminine. However, learners often mistakenly pair it with masculine articles or adjectives because 'stock' in English feels neutral. Always remember: las existencias, muchas existencias, existencias agotadas. If you use 'los existencias,' you will immediately sound like a beginner. Furthermore, avoid confusing it with 'inventario.' While often interchangeable, 'inventario' is the list or the process of counting, while 'existencias' are the actual items themselves.

Error: Tenemos pocos existencias de leche.
Correct: Tenemos pocas existencias de leche.

Lastly, be careful with the verb 'haber.' In the present tense, it is always 'hay' regardless of whether the noun is singular or plural. So, 'Hay existencias' is correct. However, in other tenses, some people incorrectly pluralize 'haber' (e.g., 'habían existencias'). While common in some dialects, in standard formal Spanish, 'había existencias' (singular verb) is the preferred form when 'haber' acts as an impersonal verb. Stick to the singular verb form to remain grammatically safe in professional writing.

Impersonal 'Haber': Use 'Había existencias' (singular) instead of 'Habían existencias' (plural) in formal Spanish.

Spanish has several words related to the concept of inventory, and choosing the right one depends on the context. Inventario is the most common synonym. However, 'inventario' usually refers to the detailed list or the act of counting the items. If you are 'doing the inventory,' you use 'hacer el inventario.' If you are talking about the physical pile of boxes, you use 'existencias.'

Existencias vs. Inventario: Existencias refers to the goods; Inventario refers to the list or the process.

El inventario muestra que tenemos mil existencias en el sistema.

Another alternative is mercancía (merchandise). This is more general and refers to the products as objects of trade. You might say 'la mercancía llegó tarde,' but you wouldn't usually say 'la mercancía se agotó' to mean a stockout; 'existencias' is more precise for availability. Then there is provisión or suministros. These are used more for materials used internally by a business (like office supplies or fuel) rather than goods for sale.

Hemos recibido una nueva carga de mercancía para aumentar nuestras existencias.

In informal settings, especially in Latin America, you will frequently hear stock. It is an accepted Anglicism in the business world. However, if you are taking a DELE exam or writing a professional report, 'existencias' is the superior choice. Lastly, reservas (reserves) is used for commodities like oil or gold, or for items set aside for a specific purpose. While 'existencias' implies they are ready for sale, 'reservas' implies they are being held back.

Suministros vs. Existencias: Suministros (Supplies used by the business) vs. Existencias (Goods sold by the business).

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word originally only meant 'life' or 'being.' It wasn't until the development of modern accounting and commerce in the late Middle Ages and Renaissance that it started being used in the plural to mean 'goods on hand.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK /eks.is.ˈten.sjas/

US /eks.is.ˈten.sjas/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable 'ten'.

Rhymes With

paciencias conciencias audiencias creencias vivencias dependencias diferencias preferencias

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'x' as 's' (es-is-ten-cias) - although common in fast speech, 'eks' is clearer.
Forgetting the plural 's' at the end.
Misplacing the stress on the last syllable.
Confusing the 'ce' sound with 'che'.
Treating the 'ia' as two separate syllables instead of a diphthong.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in context, especially in shops.

Writing 4/5

Requires remembering it's feminine plural.

Speaking 4/5

The 'x' and 'c' sounds can be tricky for some.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation in standard Spanish.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

tienda comprar vender mucho/poco hay

Learn Next

almacenamiento distribución logística proveedor pedido

Advanced

amortización activo circulante balance de situación merma

Grammar to Know

Noun-Adjective Agreement

Las existencias (fem. pl.) son limitadas (fem. pl.).

Impersonal 'Haber'

Hay existencias (present), Había existencias (past - singular verb preferred).

Prepositional Phrases

En existencias (equivalent to 'in stock').

Quantifiers with Feminine Nouns

Muchas existencias / Pocas existencias.

Passive Se

Se agotan las existencias (The stock is being exhausted).

Examples by Level

No hay existencias de leche.

There is no stock of milk.

Uses 'hay' (there is) with plural 'existencias'.

La tienda tiene pocas existencias.

The store has little stock.

Adjective 'pocas' matches feminine plural 'existencias'.

¿Tienen existencias de este juguete?

Do you have stock of this toy?

Question form using 'tienen' (they/you all have).

Las existencias son pequeñas.

The stock is small.

Verb 'son' matches the plural subject.

Busco existencias de agua.

I am looking for stock of water.

Direct object of the verb 'buscar'.

¡Mira! Hay muchas existencias.

Look! There is a lot of stock.

Adjective 'muchas' matches feminine plural.

No quedan existencias.

There is no stock left.

'Quedan' means 'remain' or 'are left'.

Las existencias están aquí.

The stock is here.

Uses 'estar' for location.

Oferta válida hasta agotar existencias.

Offer valid until supplies last.

Common fixed phrase.

Necesitamos comprar más existencias mañana.

We need to buy more stock tomorrow.

Infinitive 'comprar' followed by the noun.

Las existencias de fruta están frescas.

The fruit stock is fresh.

Agreement between 'frescas' and 'existencias'.

El vendedor revisa las existencias.

The seller checks the stock.

Present tense action.

No hay existencias de ese color.

There is no stock of 그 color.

Using 'de' to specify the type of stock.

Las existencias llegaron tarde ayer.

The stock arrived late yesterday.

Preterite tense 'llegaron'.

Quiero ver las existencias del almacén.

I want to see the warehouse stock.

Genitive 'del almacén' shows possession.

Hay pocas existencias en la tienda.

There is little stock in the store.

Prepositional phrase 'en la tienda'.

Si se agotan las existencias, avisaremos a los clientes.

If stock runs out, we will notify the customers.

Conditional 'si' with future 'avisaremos'.

Debemos controlar las existencias cada semana.

We must monitor the stock every week.

Modal verb 'debemos' + infinitive.

Las existencias de seguridad son necesarias para evitar problemas.

Safety stock is necessary to avoid problems.

Technical term 'existencias de seguridad'.

El informe muestra un aumento en las existencias.

The report shows an increase in stock.

Business context vocabulary.

Reponer las existencias es la prioridad ahora mismo.

Restocking is the priority right now.

Gerund-like use of the infinitive as a subject.

No podemos vender lo que no tenemos en existencias.

We cannot sell what we don't have in stock.

Phrase 'en existencias' meaning 'in stock'.

Las existencias de este vino son limitadas.

The stock of this wine is limited.

Adjective 'limitadas' (feminine plural).

Hubo una liquidación por fin de existencias.

There was a clearance sale because stock was ending.

Preterite 'hubo' for a completed event.

La gestión de existencias es crucial para la rentabilidad.

Inventory management is crucial for profitability.

Noun phrase 'gestión de existencias'.

Las existencias obsoletas deben ser eliminadas del inventario.

Obsolete stock must be removed from the inventory.

Passive voice 'deben ser eliminadas'.

A pesar de las altas existencias, las ventas han caído.

Despite high stock levels, sales have fallen.

Concessionary phrase 'A pesar de'.

El valor de las existencias se calcula al final del ejercicio.

The value of the stock is calculated at the end of the fiscal year.

Reflexive passive 'se calcula'.

La empresa redujo sus existencias para ahorrar costes.

The company reduced its stock to save costs.

Possessive 'sus' refers to the company.

Las existencias de materias primas son insuficientes para la producción.

Raw material stocks are insufficient for production.

Term 'materias primas'.

El auditor verificó físicamente las existencias.

The auditor physically verified the stock.

Adverb 'físicamente'.

Se ha producido una rotura de existencias inesperada.

An unexpected stockout has occurred.

Technical term 'rotura de existencias'.

La valoración de existencias según el método FIFO es estándar.

Inventory valuation according to the FIFO method is standard.

Accounting terminology.

Las existencias de ciclo permiten satisfacer la demanda regular.

Cycle stock allows for meeting regular demand.

Advanced logistics term 'existencias de ciclo'.

Hubo una discrepancia entre las existencias contables y las físicas.

There was a discrepancy between book stock and physical stock.

Distinction between 'contables' and 'físicas'.

La empresa provisionó una pérdida por el deterioro de las existencias.

The company made a provision for the impairment of stock.

Verb 'provisionar' and noun 'deterioro'.

La optimización de las existencias minimiza el capital inmovilizado.

Optimizing stock minimizes tied-up capital.

Economic concept 'capital inmovilizado'.

Las existencias en tránsito aún no han llegado al puerto.

Stock in transit has not yet arrived at the port.

Term 'en tránsito'.

El incremento de las existencias finales afectó al beneficio neto.

The increase in final inventory affected the net profit.

Impact analysis sentence structure.

Las existencias de especulación se adquirieron previendo una subida de precios.

Speculative stocks were acquired anticipating a price rise.

Advanced concept 'existencias de especulación'.

La volatilidad del mercado exige una reconfiguración de las existencias estratégicas.

Market volatility demands a reconfiguration of strategic stocks.

High-level abstract vocabulary.

Se cuestiona la sostenibilidad de mantener existencias tan elevadas en el contexto actual.

The sustainability of maintaining such high stock levels in the current context is questioned.

Impersonal 'se' with passive nuance.

El flujo de existencias debe estar en perfecta sincronía con la cadena de suministro global.

The flow of stock must be in perfect sync with the global supply chain.

Logistical precision.

La obsolescencia programada influye directamente en la rotación de las existencias tecnológicas.

Planned obsolescence directly influences the turnover of technological stock.

Sociological/Economic terminology.

Las existencias pignoradas sirven como garantía para el préstamo bancario.

Pledged stocks serve as collateral for the bank loan.

Legal term 'pignoradas'.

El ajuste de existencias por mermas y roturas fue auditado rigurosamente.

The stock adjustment for shrinkage and breakage was rigorously audited.

Technical accounting terms 'mermas' and 'roturas'.

Cualquier desviación en las existencias teóricas supone un riesgo operativo mayor.

Any deviation in theoretical stock represents a major operational risk.

Formal academic tone.

La trazabilidad total de las existencias es imperativa en la industria farmacéutica.

Total traceability of stock is imperative in the pharmaceutical industry.

Noun 'trazabilidad' (traceability).

Common Collocations

agotar existencias

reponer existencias

existencias limitadas

control de existencias

rotación de existencias

existencias de seguridad

valoración de existencias

exceso de existencias

existencias iniciales

existencias finales

Common Phrases

Hasta agotar existencias

— Used in ads to mean 'while supplies last'.

Regalo gratis hasta agotar existencias.

Fin de existencias

— End of stock, often used for clearance sales.

Liquidación por fin de existencias.

En existencias

— In stock/available.

No lo tenemos en existencias ahora mismo.

Sin existencias

— Out of stock.

El artículo aparece como 'sin existencias' en la web.

Recuento de existencias

— Stock-taking or counting inventory.

Estamos cerrados por recuento de existencias.

Rotura de existencias

— A stockout (running out of a product).

La huelga causó una rotura de existencias.

Existencias disponibles

— Available stock.

Consulte las existencias disponibles en tienda.

Bajas existencias

— Low stock levels.

Hay bajas existencias de este modelo.

Existencias mínimas

— Minimum stock level required.

Hemos llegado a las existencias mínimas.

Existencias obsoletas

— Stock that is no longer sellable.

Hay que liquidar las existencias obsoletas.

Often Confused With

existencias vs existencia

Singular means 'existence' or 'life'. Plural means 'stock'.

existencias vs inventario

Inventario is the list/record; existencias are the actual goods.

existencias vs suministros

Suministros are consumed by the business; existencias are sold.

Idioms & Expressions

"vender hasta las existencias"

— To sell everything, including the very last items.

Tuvieron tanto éxito que vendieron hasta las existencias.

informal

"quedarse sin existencias"

— To run out of everything.

La panadería se quedó sin existencias a las diez.

neutral

"hacer limpieza de existencias"

— To clear out old inventory (often at a discount).

Vamos a hacer limpieza de existencias este fin de semana.

neutral

"tener existencias de sobra"

— To have more than enough stock.

No te preocupes, tenemos existencias de sobra.

informal

"volar las existencias"

— To sell out extremely quickly.

Las entradas volaron, se agotaron las existencias en minutos.

slang

"rebañar las existencias"

— To take the very last bits of stock (like scraping a plate).

Los clientes rebañaron las existencias durante las rebajas.

informal

"inflar las existencias"

— To artificially increase the recorded stock (accounting fraud).

El gerente infló las existencias para engañar al banco.

formal

"existencias fantasma"

— Stock that appears in the system but doesn't exist physically.

Tenemos problemas con existencias fantasma en el ordenador.

business

"dormir sobre las existencias"

— To have capital tied up in unsold stock for too long.

No podemos dormir sobre las existencias, hay que venderlas.

business

"barrer con las existencias"

— To buy everything available.

Un solo comprador barrió con las existencias de mascarillas.

informal

Easily Confused

existencias vs Existencia

It's the singular form.

Existencia is the state of being; existencias is stock. You can have a difficult 'existencia' but a warehouse full of 'existencias'.

Su existencia fue trágica vs. Sus existencias de zapatos son grandes.

existencias vs Stock

It's the English equivalent used as an Anglicism.

Stock is informal and common in speech; existencias is formal and used in accounting/legal documents.

No hay stock vs. No hay existencias.

existencias vs Mercancía

Both refer to goods.

Mercancía refers to the nature of the goods (merchandise); existencias refers to the availability and quantity in storage.

La mercancía es de seda vs. Las existencias son bajas.

existencias vs Provisiones

Both refer to stored items.

Provisiones usually refers to essential items like food/water for survival; existencias is for items intended for trade.

Compramos provisiones para la tormenta vs. Reponemos existencias para la venta.

existencias vs Reservas

Both involve holding goods.

Reservas are often strategic or held back (like oil or bank reserves); existencias are ready for immediate sale.

Reservas de oro vs. Existencias de ropa.

Sentence Patterns

No hay [sustantivo].

No hay existencias.

Tener [cantidad] existencias.

Tenemos pocas existencias.

Quedar [cantidad] existencias de [producto].

Quedan pocas existencias de este libro.

Hasta agotar existencias.

La oferta es hasta agotar existencias.

Las existencias de [producto] se han [verbo].

Las existencias de arroz se han agotado.

Hacer un recuento de existencias.

Mañana haremos un recuento de existencias.

La valoración de las existencias...

La valoración de las existencias se hizo mediante FIFO.

Optimizar el flujo de existencias...

Es vital optimizar el flujo de existencias estratégicas.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High in commercial and financial contexts.

Common Mistakes

El existencia → La existencia / Las existencias
The word is feminine. Also, for stock, always use plural.
Hay muchos existencias → Hay muchas existencias
Adjectives must match the feminine plural gender of the noun.
Hacer el existencia → Hacer el inventario / Reponer existencias
You don't 'do' existence; you 'do' inventory or 'replenish' stock.
Habían existencias → Había existencias
In formal Spanish, the verb 'haber' (there was/were) stays singular even with plural nouns.
Existencias de vida → Existencia (singular)
When talking about life/being, use the singular form.

Tips

Check your agreement

Always pair 'existencias' with feminine plural words. Say 'las existencias agotadas', never 'los existencias agotados'.

Formal vs Informal

Use 'existencias' in your writing and exams, but don't be surprised if your friends say 'stock' when talking about their business.

Sales Seasons

Look for the word 'Liquidación' next to 'Existencias' in January and July in Spain for the best deals.

Accounting

If you are studying business in Spanish, remember that 'Existencias' is a key part of the 'Activo Corriente' (Current Assets).

Restocking

The verb to use when you get more stock is 'reponer'. Memorize the phrase 'reponer existencias'.

Fine Print

Always check the 'hasta agotar existencias' clause in coupons so you don't get disappointed at the store.

The X factor

Pronounce the 'x' clearly as 'ks'. It adds a level of professional clarity to your speech.

The Shop Exist

Link 'existence' to the shop. If the shop exists, it must have 'existencias'.

Emailing Suppliers

Start an inquiry with 'Quisiera consultar las existencias de...' to sound like a pro.

Radio Ads

Listen for the rapid-fire disclaimer at the end of ads; 'existencias' is almost always there.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ex-Sisters' who own a shop. They always have 'existencias' (stock) of dresses for their customers.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant warehouse where every box has a big letter 'E' on it for 'Existencias'.

Word Web

almacén tienda dinero cajas venta agotar reponer comercio

Challenge

Go to a local Spanish supermarket website (like Mercadona or Carrefour ES) and search for the phrase 'sin existencias' to see how it's used.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'existentia', which comes from 'exsistere' (to stand forth, appear, emerge).

Original meaning: The state of being or appearing in the world.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but avoid using it when talking about people unless you are being intentionally dehumanizing/corporate.

English speakers use 'stock' for everything. Spanish is more precise, using 'existencias' for retail and 'inventario' for the list.

Used in the Spanish Commercial Code (Código de Comercio). Appears in 'La Riqueza de las Naciones' (Spanish translation of Adam Smith). Commonly used in financial news on RTVE or CNN en Español.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Retail Shop

¿Tienen existencias?
Está fuera de existencias
Quedan pocas
Reponer baldas

Warehouse/Logistics

Control de existencias
Entrada de existencias
Salida de mercancía
Inventario anual

Accounting

Valoración de existencias
Existencias iniciales
Activo corriente
Cuenta de resultados

Advertising

Hasta agotar existencias
Oferta limitada
Liquidación total
Fin de existencias

Emergency/News

Existencias de alimentos
Reservas estratégicas
Escasez de existencias
Suministro básico

Conversation Starters

"¿Sabes si todavía quedan existencias de la nueva consola en la tienda?"

"Mi jefe está estresado porque las existencias de materias primas no llegan."

"¿Crees que habrá existencias suficientes de comida para el festival?"

"Vi un anuncio de liquidación por fin de existencias, ¿quieres ir?"

"¿Cómo gestionan las existencias en tu empresa, usan algún software?"

Journal Prompts

Describe una vez que fuiste a comprar algo muy especial y se habían agotado las existencias. ¿Cómo te sentiste?

Si tuvieras una tienda propia, ¿de qué producto te gustaría tener siempre muchas existencias y por qué?

Escribe sobre la importancia de controlar las existencias en un negocio pequeño comparado con una gran multinacional.

Imagina que eres un gestor de almacén. Escribe un informe sobre por qué las existencias de seguridad son bajas.

¿Qué productos crees que tendrán pocas existencias en el futuro debido al cambio climático?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Sí, 'existencias' es un sustantivo femenino plural. Siempre debes usar 'las' o adjetivos terminados en '-as' como 'limitadas' o 'pocas'.

No, es incorrecto. Debes decir 'hay muchas existencias' porque el adjetivo debe concordar en género (femenino) y número (plural) con el sustantivo.

Significan lo mismo, pero 'stock' es un préstamo del inglés muy común en el habla coloquial, mientras que 'existencias' es la palabra española correcta y formal.

Usa 'inventario' cuando te refieras al documento, a la lista de productos o al acto de contarlos. Usa 'existencias' para referirte a los productos físicos en sí.

Es una frase hecha que significa que una oferta o promoción terminará en el momento en que se vendan todos los productos disponibles.

No, 'existencias' se refiere exclusivamente a objetos, mercancías o bienes materiales en un contexto comercial.

Se puede decir 'agotado', 'sin existencias' o 'fuera de existencias'.

No es común. En contabilidad y comercio, casi siempre verás la forma plural 'existencias'.

Es una cantidad extra de stock que una empresa guarda para no quedarse sin productos si hay un retraso en los proveedores o un aumento inesperado de ventas.

Sí, es un término estándar en todo el mundo hispanohablante, aunque la frecuencia del uso de 'stock' varía según el país.