expediente
nounCEFR B1
What does “expediente” mean in English?
official file / dossier held by an institution; expediente académico = academic transcript; expediente disciplinario = disciplinary proceedings
Example sentences
El funcionario revisó el expediente y comprobó que faltaban dos documentos acreditativos sin los cuales no era posible continuar con el proceso.
The official reviewed the file and confirmed that two supporting documents were missing without which it was not possible to continue with the process.
Le informamos de que su expediente ha sido remitido al departamento competente para su resolución en el plazo máximo de un mes.
We inform you that your file has been forwarded to the competent department for resolution within a maximum period of one month.
Si en el plazo de quince días no recibe respuesta, puede consultar el estado de su expediente a través de la sede electrónica de la administración.
If you do not receive a reply within fifteen days, you may check the status of your file through the administration's electronic portal.
How to use it
El expediente is the official file or dossier held by an institution about a person's case, application, or record. It is the collection of all documents relating to a single administrative matter. Key collocates: abrir un expediente (to open a file/investigation), resolver un expediente (to resolve a case), expediente académico (academic transcript), expediente disciplinario (disciplinary proceedings). Do not confuse with la expedición (an expedition/journey) — false friend.
Common mistake
La expedición (an expedition) looks similar but is unrelated. El expediente is never used for a journey. Also: expediente disciplinario (disciplinary file) is widely used in employment contexts — 'le abrieron un expediente' means they opened formal disciplinary proceedings against him, which is a serious step.