Ways to say it
| Spanish | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| plazo | fin/vencimiento de/del | /ˈplaθo/ /ˈplaso/ |
masculine |
| expiración/caducidad de/del plazo | feminine | ||
| data límite/tope | feminine | ||
| dedlain | /dedlain/ (from spelling rules) | US, masculine |
The most common way to refer to a deadline or a period of time allowed for a task is plazo. To express the concept of 'meeting a deadline,' you should use the phrase cumplir el plazo. If you need to specify a deadline that is tied to a specific time, you can use hora límite to mean 'time limit'.
Which one should you use?
While plazo is the standard term, other forms exist depending on the context. Use fecha límite or data límite/tope to refer to a 'limit date'. Use expiración/caducidad de/del plazo or vencimiento to refer to the expiration or due date of a period. For a very specific time-based deadline, hora límite is also appropriate.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Plazo is the standard term for everyday use. For formal or legal situations, you may use fecha de vencimiento or vencimiento to refer to the moment a deadline expires or a payment is due. Similarly, fecha límite and fecha tope are considered standard and formal ways to express a deadline. In professional or tech-oriented environments in Latin America, you may encounter the anglicism dedlain, but it is not formal Spanish.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word plazo is a masculine noun and requires masculine articles such as el or un.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈplaθo/
Did you know?
- The word caducidad is often used for deadlines involving food or medicine. It implies a natural loss of validity, similar to how leaves fall from trees in autumn.
- While plazo refers to the period of time, the word vencimiento is used when a deadline expires. It is closely related to the verb vencer, which can also mean 'to defeat' or 'to conquer'.
- The word plazo shares a root with the Latin word for 'pleasing' or 'agreeable', as it originally described an 'agreed day' that was satisfactory to all parties.
Examples in context
- El plazo acaba el lunes.The deadline is Monday.This sentence shows how to state when the plazo ends.Tatoeba #5769382 by arh, translation #4494473 by CK
- El plazo acaba a las dos y media del lunes.The deadline is 2:30 on Monday.This sentence specifies a more precise time for the plazo.Tatoeba #5970821 by arh, translation #4501238 by CK
- ¿Cómo puedo llegar a cumplir el plazo de este documento?How can I make the deadline for this document?This sentence demonstrates the common expression cumplir el plazo.Tatoeba #624113 by Leono, translation #38367 by handsomelyian
- Tenemos que cumplir la fecha límite para entregar el proyecto.We have to meet the deadline to deliver the project.
- Recuerda que mañana es la fecha tope para entregar los informes.Remember that tomorrow is the deadline to submit the reports.
- La fecha de vencimiento para pagar la factura es el viernes.The deadline to pay the invoice is Friday.
- No te preocupes, todavía tienes un plazo de dos días para enviar el formulario.Don't worry, you still have a two-day deadline to submit the form.
- La fecha de entrega de los trabajos es el martes.The deadline for the assignments is Tuesday.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are discussing a work project.
- MateoElena, ¿cuál es el plazo para el proyecto?Elena, what is the deadline for the project?
- ElenaEl plazo es este viernes a mediodía.The deadline is this Friday at noon.
- MateoCreo que necesito más plazo para terminarlo.I think I need more time to finish it.
- ElenaHablaremos con el jefe para ampliar el plazo.We will talk to the boss to extend the deadline.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “deadline” translations and entries plazo, dedlain, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries data, dedlain, plazo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
