embargo
/embaɾɡo/from spelling rules
The English term 'repo' (repossession) is translated into Spanish as embargo.
The term refers to the act of taking back property because the owner failed to make payments on a loan.
How do you pronounce it?
/embaɾɡo/
Did you know?
- The word embargo is a cognate with the English 'embargo', but in English, it almost exclusively refers to government trade restrictions rather than the repossession of a car.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you are undergoing an 'embargo', it might refer specifically to a legal seizure of your wages or salary rather than physical property.
- The root of embargo comes from the Old Spanish 'embargar', which originally meant to 'block' or 'thwart' something, much like an obstacle in a path.
Examples in context
- El banco está en proceso de recuperación de la propiedadThe bank is in the process of recovering the property
- La entidad bancaria procedió a la retirada del vehículoThe bank proceeded with the repo of the vehicle
- El embargo de su coche fue inesperado.The repossession of his car was unexpected.
- Debido a la deuda, hubo un embargo de la casa.Due to the debt, there was a foreclosure/repossession of the house.
- Ella evitó el embargo de sus bienes.She avoided the seizure of her assets.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are discussing a friend's financial problems.
- Daniel¿Escuchaste lo que le pasó a su hermano?Did you hear what happened to his brother?
- ElenaNo, ¿qué ocurrió?No, what happened?
- DanielTuvo un embargo de su camioneta por falta de pagos.He had a repossession of his truck because of missed payments.
- ElenaQué mala suerte tiene él.He is so unlucky.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries embargo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
