fecha de caducidad
/fet͡ʃa de kaduθidad/from spelling rules
The English phrase "date of expiry" is translated into Spanish as fecha de caducidad.
This phrase refers to the specific date after which a product is no longer safe or fit to be used.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of fecha (date), de (of) and caducidad (expiry/expiration).
Which one should you use?
While fecha de caducidad is the standard term used for food and perishable goods, fecha de vencimiento is often used when referring to documents, contracts or credit cards.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term fecha tope can be used to indicate a final deadline or cut-off date.
How do you pronounce it?
/fetʃa de kaduθidad/
Did you know?
- The word caducidad comes from the Latin cadere, which means 'to fall', implying that an expiry date is when a period of validity 'falls' or ends.
- The word fecha is derived from the Latin facta, meaning 'things done' or 'deeds'. This connects the concept of a 'date' to the actual events that took place on that day.
- While caducidad refers to the expiration of a product, the same root is used in law to describe the 'caducity' of a right, meaning a legal claim has expired because the person waited too long to act.
Examples in context
- La fecha de vencimiento del contrato es el 31 de diciembreThe date of expiry of the contract is December 31st
- Verifique siempre la fecha de caducidad de los productos antes de consumirlosAlways check the expiration date of the products before consuming them
- No te olvides de revisar la fecha de vencimiento de la lecheDon't forget to check the expiry date of the milk
- La fecha de expiración de mi tarjeta de crédito es el 15 de marzoThe expiration date of my credit card is March 15th
- Por favor, indíquenme la fecha de vencimiento de mi pasaportePlease let me know the expiry date of my passport
- Debes revisar la fecha de caducidad de los productos antes de comprarlosYou should check the expiration date of the products before buying them
- La fecha de caducidad es el 15 de mayo.The expiry date is May 15th.
- Revisa la fecha de caducidad en la etiqueta.Check the date of expiry on the label.
- No veo la fecha de caducidad en este producto.I don't see the date of expiry on this product.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are checking the fridge.
- LucíaMateo, ¿esta crema todavía está buena?Mateo, is this cream still good?
- MateoNo lo sé, busca la fecha de caducidad.I don't know, look for the expiry date.
- LucíaDice que caducó el mes pasado.It says it expired last month.
- MateoEntonces tírala a la basura, Lucía.Then throw it in the trash, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, fecha, CC BY-SA 4.0.
