tasa baja
/tasa baxa/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase 'low rate' is translated as tasa baja.
Tasa baja is used to describe a small percentage charged for a loan or a low frequency of occurrence in statistics, such as a tasa de natalidad baja (low birth rate).
Which one should you use?
While tasa baja is a general term for a low rate, if you are specifically discussing financial interest, it is more precise to use tasa de interés baja (low interest rate).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can use precio reducido to convey the idea of a low rate or a reduced price. In Latin America, the word económico is used both formally and informally to mean a low rate or something affordable.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express 'low rates' in the plural, use tasas bajas. In Spanish, both the noun and the adjective must agree in gender and number.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly use tarifa to mean 'rate' in a mathematical or statistical sense. However, tasa is the correct term when referring to a ratio or a percentage.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, a baja is a formal notification of a leave of absence from work. A worker might be de baja, meaning they are on sick leave, regardless of their salary rate.
- In Spanish, the word baja is not just an adjective for 'low' but can also be a noun meaning a 'drop' or a 'decrease' in numbers. In a military context, bajas refers to casualties.
- The word tasa shares an ancestor with the English word 'tax', as both stem from the Latin root related to the idea of assessment or evaluation.
Examples in context
- El banco ofrece una baja tasa de interés para préstamos hipotecarios.The bank offers a low interest rate for mortgage loans.
- Si eres estudiante, puedes obtener una tarifa reducida para el boleto de autobús.If you're a student, you can get a reduced rate for the bus ticket.
- El banco ofrece una tasa baja.The bank offers a low rate.
- Es difícil encontrar una tasa baja hoy.It is difficult to find a low rate today.
- Necesitamos una tasa baja para el préstamo.We need a low rate for the loan.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are discussing a mortgage at home.
- María¿Crees que conseguiremos una tasa baja?Do you think we will get a low rate?
- DanielEspero que sí, María.I hope so, María.
- MaríaDaniel, el asesor dice que la tasa baja es posible.Daniel, the advisor says a low rate is possible.
- DanielEso sería una excelente noticia.That would be excellent news.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baja, tasa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
