beneficio de la duda
/benefiθjo de la duda/from spelling rules
The English phrase "benefit of the doubt" is translated into Spanish as beneficio de la duda.
This phrase describes the decision to believe someone is acting honestly or telling the truth when there is no evidence to prove otherwise. In Spanish, it is most commonly used with the verbs dar (to give) or conceder (to grant/concede).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of the English idiom. beneficio means benefit and la duda means the doubt.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun beneficio is masculine, so it must be preceded by the masculine article el to form el beneficio de la duda.
How do you pronounce it?
/benefiθjo de la duda/
Did you know?
- Although beneficio de la duda is used across the Spanish-speaking world, it is categorized as a 'calque', meaning it was deliberately borrowed and translated from English into Spanish.
- The word duda shares a root with the English word 'dubious', both originating from the Latin word for 'two', reflecting the state of being torn between two options.
- In Spanish legal contexts, la duda is often linked to the principle in dubio pro reo, which mandates that any doubt must be resolved in favor of the accused.
Examples in context
- Otórgale el beneficio de la duda.Give him the benefit of the doubt.Tatoeba #2050748 by Alba, translation #285189 by CK
- Se le concedió el beneficio de la duda.He was given the benefit of the doubt.Tatoeba #975475 by Shishir, translation #975251 by sacredceltic
- Tom le dio a Mary el beneficio de la duda.Tom gave Mary the benefit of the doubt.Tatoeba #1634668 by marcelostockle, translation #1094018 by CK
- Después de analizar detenidamente las pruebas presentadas, decidimos darle el beneficio de la duda al acusado.After carefully analyzing the evidence presented, we decided to give the accused the benefit of the doubt.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are discussing a coworker who arrived late to a meeting.
- Sofía¿Crees que él llegó tarde a propósito?Do you think he arrived late on purpose?
- JavierNo lo sé, pero le daré el beneficio de la duda.I don't know, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt.
- SofíaEres muy amable con él, Javier.You are very kind to him, Javier.
- JavierSolo trato de ser justo con él.I'm just trying to be fair to him.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry beneficio de la duda, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
