gastos imprevistos
/ɡastos impɾebistos/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for incidentals is gastos imprevistos.
The phrase gastos imprevistos is used to describe incidental costs or miscellaneous expenses that arise unexpectedly. It refers to small items that are not individually identified.
Meaning: small items that are not individually identified (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of gastos (expenses) and imprevistos (unforeseen/unexpected).
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a single incidental expense, use the singular form gasto imprevisto.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡastos impɾebistos/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word gastos (expenses) comes from the verb gastar, which also means 'to wear out' or 'to erode'. This frames spending money as a process of wearing down your resources.
- In Latin American offices, gastos imprevistos are often paid from a caja chica. While it translates to 'petty cash', it literally means 'small box', referring to the physical container where the money is kept.
- The term imprevisto shares a root with the English word 'provide'. Because the Latin root videre means 'to see', an incidental expense is literally something that was 'not seen' beforehand.
Examples in context
- Debemos considerar los gastos imprevistos del viaje.We must consider the incidentals of the trip.
- Ese presupuesto no incluye los gastos imprevistos.That budget does not include incidentals.
- Tengo miedo de los gastos imprevistos durante la mudanza.I am afraid of the incidentals during the move.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are planning a business trip.
- SofíaJavier, ya reservé el hotel y los vuelos.Javier, I already booked the hotel and the flights.
- Javier¿Incluiste una cantidad para los gastos imprevistos?Did you include an amount for incidentals?
- SofíaSí, puse cincuenta euros por día.Yes, I put fifty euros per day.
- JavierPerfecto, así no tendremos problemas.Perfect, that way we won't have any problems.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
