consultar saldo
/konsultaɾ saldo/from spelling rules
To check balance in Spanish is to consultar saldo.
The phrase consultar saldo is the standard terminology used in banking apps, ATMs and formal customer service contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb consultar (to consult/check) and the noun saldo (balance).
Which one should you use?
In casual conversation, a speaker might use ver el saldo instead of the more formal consultar saldo.
How does it change in a sentence?
While consultar saldo is common in menu headings and short commands, in a full sentence, you should include the definite article el before saldo.
How do you pronounce it?
/konsultaɾ saldo/
Did you know?
- If you are shopping for clothes in a Spanish-speaking country, you might see a sign for liquidación de saldos. This refers to a clearance sale to get rid of remaining stock, rather than a bank transaction.
- The verb consultar comes from the Latin cōnsultāre, which originally meant to deliberate or ask for advice rather than simply to check a piece of data.
- When managing a mobile phone in many Latin American countries, you do not just check your 'balance', you check your saldo. This refers specifically to the remaining prepaid credit available on your SIM card.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría verificar el saldo de mi tarjeta de crédito, por favor?Could you check the balance of my credit card, please?
- ¿Puedes revisar el saldo de mi tarjeta de crédito?Can you check the balance of my credit card?
- Necesito ver mi saldo de cuenta antes de realizar un retiro.I need to see my account balance before making a withdrawal.
- Quiero ver cuánto dinero tengo antes de sacar dinero.I want to see how much money I have before taking money out.
Example conversation
María and Javier are at the bank.
- MaríaJavier, ¿sabes cómo consultar saldo aquí?Javier, do you know how to check the balance here?
- JavierSí, María, solo inserta tu tarjeta.Yes, María, just insert your card.
- MaríaGracias, ahora voy a consultar saldo.Thanks, now I am going to check my balance.
- JavierDe nada, yo te espero.You're welcome, I'll wait for you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries consultar, saldo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
