por determinar
/poɾ deteɾminaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'tbd' (to be determined) is translated into Spanish as por determinar.
In contexts where a concept, parameter or specific boundary is still being established rather than just a simple decision being made, you may also use the alternative phrase por definir.
Meaning: to be determined (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition por (to be/by) and the infinitive determinar (to determine).
Which one should you use?
The phrase por definir is a common alternative used when a concept or parameter is still being established rather than just a decision being made.
How do you pronounce it?
/poɾ deteɾminaɾ/
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'tbd' for almost anything, Spanish speakers frequently use pendiente to mark a task on a list. This word literally means 'hanging' and implies the item is suspended until it can be resolved.
- The word determinar shares the same Latin root as the English word 'terminate', which comes from the same concept of setting a boundary or an end.
- Digital Spanish contexts often bypass translation entirely by using the English 'TBD' as a loanword. This occurs even in formal emails where other technical terms are translated.
Examples in context
- La fecha de inicio de la conferencia está por determinar.The conference start date is to be determined.
- La asistencia del presidente está pendiente de confirmación.The president's attendance is pending confirmation.
- ¿Vamos al cine esta noche? Aún no está decidido.Shall we go to the movies tonight? It is not yet decided.
- Todavía no hemos llegado a una conclusión sobre la fecha del evento.We have not reached a conclusion yet regarding the event date.
- El lugar de la reunión está sin determinar aún.The meeting location is not yet determined.
- El lugar del evento es por determinar.The venue for the event is to be determined.
- La fecha de la reunión está por determinar.The date of the meeting is to be determined.
- El presupuesto final queda por determinar.The final budget remains to be determined.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are discussing a project at work.
- Javier¿Ya sabes quién será el cliente?Do you know who the client will be yet?
- SofíaNo, el nombre está por determinar.No, the name is to be determined.
- JavierEntiendo, ¿y la fecha de entrega?I see, and the delivery date?
- SofíaEso también está por determinar.That is also to be determined.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries determinar, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
