Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| desperdicio | /despeɾˈdiθjo/ /despeɾˈdisjo/ |
masculine |
| desecho | /deˈset͡ʃo/ | masculine |
| desechos | /deˈset͡ʃos/ | masculine, plural |
| basura | /baˈsuɾa/ | feminine |
| acribaduras | /akɾibaduɾas/ (from spelling rules) | feminine, plural |
| ahechadura | /aet͡ʃaduɾa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| ahechaduras | /aet͡ʃaduɾas/ (from spelling rules) | feminine, plural |
| echaduras | /et͡ʃaduɾas/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
Spanish uses different words for 'waste' based on whether the subject is abstract or physical. Use desperdicio for the waste of resources, time or opportunities. For physical by-products or refuse resulting from a process, use desecho. If you are referring specifically to common household garbage or trash, use basura. Related verbs for the act of squandering something include malgastar, desperdiciar and desaprovechar.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the context of the waste: desperdicio is used for abstract concepts like wasting an opportunity or a resource. desecho refers to physical by-products or industrial waste. And basura is the term for common household garbage or general trash.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While desecho is the singular form for a physical by-product, the plural form desechos is very common when referring to industrial or biological waste products.
How do you pronounce it?
/despeɾˈdiθjo/
Did you know?
- In Spain, the act of taking out the basura often happens late at night, as many neighborhoods have specific hours when bins are placed on the street.
- The word basura shares a common ancestor with the Latin verb verrō, which means 'to sweep'.
- While basura is the standard word for trash, the phrase basura espacial is used specifically for 'space debris'.
Examples in context
- ¡Qué desperdicio de energía!What a waste of energy!This sentence shows how to express a waste of energy using desperdicio.Tatoeba #4600920 by cueyayotl, translation #24947 by CK
- Que desperdicio de tu título como abogado.What a waste of your lawyer qualifications!This sentence demonstrates using desperdicio to describe the waste of a professional qualification.Tatoeba #5108484 by hario7, translation #329280 by fcbond
- ¿Dónde hay que deshacernos de los desechos?Where should we dispose of the waste?This sentence illustrates how to ask about disposing of desecho.Tatoeba #1732296 by marcelostockle, translation #44504 by Lumi
- No debemos desperdiciar alimentosWe should not waste food
- Hay que separar los residuos reciclablesWe need to separate recyclable waste
- El derroche de recursos es perjudicial para el medio ambienteThe waste of resources is harmful to the environment
- No despilfarren el dinero en cosas innecesariasDon't waste money on unnecessary things
- No eches a perder la comidaDon't waste the food
- No gastes el aguaDon't waste the water
- No derroches tu energíaDon't waste your energy
- Tiré todo el dinero a la basuraI wasted all the money
- No desperdicie el papelDon't waste the paper
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are cleaning out a garage.
- DanielHay mucho desperdicio acumulado aquí.There is a lot of waste accumulated here.
- SofíaSí, debemos tirarlo todo.Yes, we must throw it all away.
- DanielTú eres muy eficiente limpiando.You are very efficient at cleaning.
- SofíaSolo intento ayudar, Daniel.I'm just trying to help, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “waste” translations and entries desperdicio, desecho, desechos, basura, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries basura, desecho, desperdicio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
