gasto
nounCEFR B2
What does “gasto” mean in English?
expenditure, spending
expenditure, spending (the act or amount of money spent; gasto público/social; gastos de viaje)
Example sentences
La reducción del gasto público en investigación básica compromete la capacidad de innovación del país a largo plazo.
Cutting public expenditure on basic research undermines the country's capacity for innovation in the long term.
La empresa cubre los gastos de desplazamiento de los empleados que asisten a formaciones externas.
The company covers the travel expenses of employees who attend external training courses.
El gasto en defensa de los países de la OTAN ha experimentado un crecimiento sostenido en los últimos años.
Defence spending among NATO countries has seen sustained growth in recent years.
How to use it
El gasto (noun, masculine) means 'expenditure, expense, spending' — the act or amount of spending money. At B2 it is standard in economic, fiscal, and everyday financial discourse. Core collocations: gasto público/social/militar; gasto corriente; reducir/aumentar el gasto; gastos de viaje/mantenimiento; cubrir los gastos; el gasto sanitario. Note the plural los gastos typically means 'expenses' (reimbursable costs). The verb is gastar. Distinguish from ingresos (income — the opposite side) and coste/costo (cost — price of a specific item).
Common mistake
Don't confuse gasto (expenditure/spending) with coste (cost of producing/buying something specific). 'Public spending' = gasto público (not *costo público). In everyday Spanish, gastos often refers to reimbursable work expenses. 'It was a waste of money' = fue un gasto inútil.