fondos insuficientes
/fondos insufiθjentes/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "insufficient funds" is translated as fondos insuficientes.
The phrase is used when a bank account does not have enough money to cover a payment. You may also see the term falta de fondos used to express this same concept of insufficient funds.
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is composed of the noun fondos (funds) and the adjective insuficientes (insufficient).
Is it said differently in some regions?
Regional variations include No hay saldo suficiente in Mexico and No dispongo de suficiente dinero in Spain. In Argentina, No tengo plata suficiente is used to express the lack of funds.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because fondos is a masculine plural noun, the adjective insuficientes must also be in the plural form to agree with it.
How do you pronounce it?
/fondos insufiθjentes/
Did you know?
- While fondos insuficientes is the formal term, a Spaniard might colloquially say they are a dos velas, which literally means 'by two candles'. This describes the state of having no money at all.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the concept of lacking funds is tied to the expression estar sin blanca. This refers to the 'blanca', a small silver coin used in Spain centuries ago.
- The word dinero is a linguistic relative of the English word 'dinar'. Both derive from the Roman denarius, a small silver coin used throughout the empire.
Examples in context
- El cajero dice que tengo fondos insuficientes.The ATM says that I have insufficient funds.
- No pude pagar por fondos insuficientes en mi cuenta.I couldn't pay because of insufficient funds in my account.
- Parece que la transacción falló por fondos insuficientes.It seems the transaction failed due to insufficient funds.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are at a supermarket checking out.
- LucíaJavier, ¿puedes pagar con tu tarjeta?Javier, can you pay with your card?
- JavierNo, me sale un error de fondos insuficientes.No, an insufficient funds error is popping up.
- Lucía¡Qué mal! ¿No tienes dinero en la cuenta?That's bad! Don't you have money in the account?
- JavierCreo que no, lo arreglaré mañana.I don't think so, I'll fix it tomorrow.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
