pozo sin fondo
/ˌpoθo ˌsin ˈfondo/
The English phrase 'bottomless pit' can be translated into Spanish as pozo sin fondo. If unsure, use pozo sin fondo. Wiktionary also lists tragaldabas and barril sin fondo.
Meaning: person with boundless appetite, entity or problem which consumes endless resources (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pozo sin fondo | /ˌpoθo ˌsin ˈfondo/ /ˌposo ˌsin ˈfondo/ |
|
| tragaldabas | /ˌtɾaɡalˈdabas/ | |
| barril sin fondo | /baˌril ˌsin ˈfondo/ | masculine |
pozo sin fondo is used metaphorically in both financial contexts (a money pit) and to describe an insatiable appetite. It can also refer to a literal physical pit.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pozo sin fondo is composed of pozo (pit/well), sin (without) and fondo (bottom/depth).
Which one should you use?
While pozo sin fondo can refer to an abstract problem or a physical pit, tragaldabas is used specifically to describe a person who eats excessively.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌpoθo ˌsin ˈfondo/
Did you know?
- The word tragaldabas is a bizarre construction that literally translates to 'swallows doorknockers'.
- Spanish has two words derived from the same Latin root for 'bottom', fondo and hondo. The letter 'f' was preserved in fondo specifically to keep it distinct from the adjective hondo.
- While pozo sin fondo is the standard metaphor, you can also use barril sin fondo, which literally means 'bottomless barrel'.
Examples in context
- Su estómago parecía un pozo sin fondo.His stomach seemed a bottomless pit.This sentence uses pozo sin fondo to describe an insatiable appetite.Tatoeba #3785212 by marcelostockle, translation #2728185 by Hybrid
- El demonio agarró a mi hermana y, con risa aullante, la arrojó a un pozo sin fondo.The demon grabbed my sister and, with howling laughter, cast her into a bottomless pit.This sentence uses pozo sin fondo to describe a physical pit.Tatoeba #8583569 by Orphneus, translation #723182 by darinmex
- Enfrentamos dificultades financieras sin fin, es como caer en un agujero sin fondo.We face endless financial difficulties, it's like falling into a bottomless pit.
- La corrupción en ese país es un pozo sin fondo.Corruption in that country is a bottomless pit.
- Las deudas de la empresa parecen estar en un abismo insondable.The company's debts seem to be in a bottomless pit.
- No importa cuánto trabajemos, siempre habrá un sumidero económico en este país.No matter how much we work, there will always be an economic bottomless pit in this country.
- Ese proyecto es un pozo sin fondo de dinero.That project is a bottomless pit of money.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are at a restaurant discussing a friend's eating habits.
- Lucía¿Viste cuánto comió Julián hoy?Did you see how much Julián ate today?
- MateoSí, es un pozo sin fondo.Yes, he is a bottomless pit.
- LucíaNunca parece estar satisfecho.He never seems to be satisfied.
- MateoEs verdad, siempre tiene hambre.It's true, he is always hungry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bottomless pit” translations and entries pozo sin fondo, tragaldabas, barril sin fondo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barril, barril sin fondo, fondo, pozo, sin, tragaldabas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
