prescindibles
/pɾesθindibles/from spelling rules
The English word 'expendables' can be translated into Spanish as prescindibles.
The term refers to people or things that are not essential and can be sacrificed or replaced without serious loss.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, the term consumibles is generally preferred in formal contexts. In Spain, an alternative for 'expendables' is Artículos de un solo uso or Materiales fungibles.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾesθindibles/
Did you know?
- While prescindible is the direct translation, using desechable to describe a person is an extremely harsh insult, as it literally means 'disposable' like trash.
- The word prescindibles shares a linguistic ancestor with the English word 'rescind', as both come from the Latin scindere, meaning 'to cut'.
- While 'expendable' in English often implies a sacrifice for a greater goal, prescindible often emphasizes that the thing simply lacks value or importance.
Examples in context
- Por favor, necesito un suministro de artículos consumibles de oficina.Please, I need a supply of office expendables.
- Es importante mantener un control adecuado sobre los artículos consumibles en la construcción.It's important to maintain proper control over the expendables in construction.
- En este proyecto, los gastos prescindibles deben eliminarse.In this project, the expendable expenses must be eliminated.
- No somos piezas prescindibles en esta empresa.We are not expendable pieces in this company.
- Esos objetos son prescindibles para nuestra misión.Those objects are expendable for our mission.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are discussing the company budget in an office.
- Javier¿Podemos recortar algunos presupuestos este mes?Can we cut some budgets this month?
- SofíaSí, pero hay que identificar los gastos prescindibles.Yes, but we must identify the expendable expenses.
- JavierSofía, ¿crees que el equipo de ventas es prescindible?Sofía, do you think the sales team is expendable?
- SofíaNo, Javier, ese equipo es vital para nosotros.No, Javier, that team is vital to us.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
