Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| caducar | /kaduˈkaɾ/ |
| vencer | /benˈθeɾ/ /benˈseɾ/ |
| expirar | /eɡspiˈɾaɾ/ |
| perimir | /peɾimiɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
These verbs are used to express that something has become invalid. For example, you can use caducidad as a noun to refer to the expiration or shelf life of a product or document. In formal settings, the verb finalizar can also be used to convey the idea of something coming to an end or reaching its expiration.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on what is expiring. Use caducar specifically for things like food, medicine or documents that have an expiration date. Use vencer when referring to deadlines, payments or the end of a legal term or period. While expirar can mean to become invalid, it is often used in a formal or literary sense to mean 'to die' (to breathe one's last).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the noun vencimiento is often used to refer to expiration. In some Latin American countries, the expression perder la vigencia is used to convey the expiration of a document or license.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaduˈkaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use expirar for food or credit cards, but caducar or vencer is much more natural in those contexts.
Did you know?
- The verb vencer is not just for 'to defeat' in a fight, but is the standard way to describe a credit card or a deadline reaching its end.
- The word caducar comes from the Latin word 'cadere', which means 'to fall', suggesting that an expired document has 'fallen' from its state of validity.
Examples in context
- El contrato expirará pronto.The contract will expire soon.This sentence shows the use of expirar regarding a contract.Tatoeba #2278691 by marcelostockle, translation #2442561 by jgauthier
- El contrato caducará el próximo mes.The contract will expire next month.
- La garantía vence en seis meses.The warranty expires in six months.
- El plazo para presentar el informe finaliza mañana.The deadline to submit the report expires tomorrow.
- ¡Uy! Se me caduca el carné de conducir.Oh no! My driver's license is expiring.
- Mi pasaporte perderá la vigencia en dos meses.My passport will expire in two months.
- El vencimiento de la tarjeta de crédito es el 31 de diciembre.The credit card's expiration is on December 31st.
- Mi pasaporte va a caducar el próximo mes.My passport is going to expire next month.
- Esta oferta de descuento va a caducar pronto.This discount offer is going to expire soon.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are checking their documents at home.
- Alejandro¿Sabes si mi carnet de conducir va a caducar este año?Do you know if my driver's license is going to expire this year?
- SofíaCreo que sí, revisa la fecha en el documento.I think so, check the date on the document.
- AlejandroTienes razón, la fecha ya pasó.You're right, the date has already passed.
- SofíaEntonces tienes que renovarlo cuanto antes.Then you have to renew it as soon as possible.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “expire” translations and entries caducar, vencer, expirar, perimir, 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 caducar, expirar, vencer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
