Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| fianza | /ˈfjanθa/ /fiˈanθa/ |
feminine |
| caución | /kauˈθjon/ /kauˈsjon/ |
feminine |
The term refers to an amount of money paid in advance as security. You might use the verb phrase pagar la fianza to describe the act of paying a security deposit.
Which one should you use?
fianza is the most common term for a security deposit used in everyday contexts, such as when renting an apartment. caución is a more formal or legalistic term used in contracts to refer to a security or guarantee.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, it is common to use depósito or the phrase depósito en garantía to mean security deposit. In Colombia, the term caución is commonly used to mean security deposit.
How does it change in a sentence?
fianza and caución are both feminine nouns. The singular form of caución is preceded by the article la (la caución), and the plural form of fianza is las fianzas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfjanθa/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, fianza is the word used for both a rental security deposit and the 'bail' paid to release a defendant from jail.
- The word caución comes from the Latin cautiōnem, which is the same root that gives English the word 'caution'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, a fiador is a person who acts as a guarantor, essentially serving as a human 'security deposit' by pledging their own assets.
Examples in context
- Para alquilar el apartamento, es necesario dejar una fianza de tres meses de alquiler.To rent the apartment, it is necessary to leave a security deposit of three months' rent.
- Para asegurar el contrato, solicitan un depósito de garantía equivalente a un mes de alquiler.To secure the contract, they require a security deposit equivalent to one month's rent.
- Tenemos que entregar una paga y señal para reservar el piso.We have to provide a security deposit to reserve the apartment.
- Antes de mudarme, deberé pagar un depósito de seguridad al dueño del apartamento.Before moving, I will have to pay a security deposit to the apartment owner.
- Para rentar el departamento, tienes que pagar un depósito en garantía.To rent the apartment, you have to pay a security deposit.
- El arrendador solicita una caución como garantía por cualquier daño al apartamento.The landlord requires a security deposit as a guarantee for any damage to the apartment.
- Debo pagar la fianza este mes.I have to pay the security deposit this month.
- La fianza es de quinientos euros.The security deposit is five hundred euros.
- ¿Me devolverán la fianza al terminar el contrato?Will they return the security deposit when the contract ends?
Example conversation
María and Javier are discussing a new apartment rental.
- María¿Sabes cuánto es la fianza?Do you know how much the security deposit is?
- JavierSí, son dos meses de alquiler.Yes, it is two months' rent.
- MaríaEs una fianza bastante alta.It is a quite high security deposit.
- JavierEs normal en este barrio.It is normal in this neighborhood.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “security deposit” translations and entries fianza, caución, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caución, fianza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
