What does it mean word for word?
The noun despilfarro is formed from the verb despilfarrar (to squander) with the suffix -o used to create a noun meaning the act of squandering.
Which one should you use?
While desperdicio can be used for waste in a general sense, such as wasted food or wasted time, despilfarro specifically implies a reckless or excessive spending of money or resources. Other related terms include malgasto, which refers to the inappropriate or inefficient use of resources and derroche, which denotes squandering or lavish spending.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, desperdicio can be used as a term for wastefulness in both formal and informal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun despilfarro is masculine and is typically used with the definite article el (e.g., el despilfarro).
How do you pronounce it?
/despilˈfaro/
Did you know?
- The word derroche, a synonym for despilfarro, shares a root with the verb derrocar, meaning to overthrow or pull down a building.
- While despilfarro focuses on money, Spanish uses desperdicio for the waste of food. In some regions, desperdicios can specifically refer to organic waste or sewage.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, describing someone's lifestyle as a despilfarro can be a heavy social criticism, as it implies a lack of virtue or responsibility toward the community.
Examples in context
- La compañía mostró despilfarro de recursos en su último proyectoThe company displayed wastefulness of resources in their latest project
- El malgasto de energía es perjudicial para el medio ambienteWastefulness of energy is harmful to the environment
- El derroche de agua es inaceptable en tiempos de sequíaThe wasteful use of water is unacceptable during times of drought
- Siempre tira la casa por la ventana en sus vacacionesHe/she always spends money recklessly on vacations
- No deberíamos tirar a la basura cosas que aún podríamos usarWe shouldn't throw away things that we could still use
- No podemos permitir este derroche energético si queremos proteger nuestro planetaWe cannot allow this energy wastefulness if we want to protect our planet
- El despilfarro de comida es un problema serio.The wastefulness of food is a serious problem.
- No podemos permitir tanto despilfarro de dinero público.We cannot allow so much wastefulness of public money.
- Su despilfarro de recursos afectó a toda la empresa.His wastefulness of resources affected the whole company.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are discussing the budget of their local project.
- DanielEstamos preocupados por el despilfarro en este proyecto.We are worried about the wastefulness in this project.
- MaríaTienes razón, Daniel, hay que controlar los gastos.You are right, Daniel, we must control the expenses.
- DanielSi no lo hacemos, el presupuesto se acabará pronto.If we don't, the budget will run out soon.
- MaríaVoy a revisar las cuentas esta tarde.I am going to check the accounts this afternoon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry despilfarro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
