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"Dependent" is an adjective which is often translated as "dependiente de", and "dependant" is a noun which is often translated as "la persona a cargo de otra". Learn more about the difference between "dependent" and "dependant" below.
dependent(
dih
-
pehn
-
dihnt
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. dependiente de
People have become dependent on cell phone service.La gente se ha vuelto dependiente del servicio de telefonía celular.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Garret was dependent on drugs, but he's been clean for years now.Garret era drogodependiente, pero ha estado limpio desde hace años ya.
He became dependent on opium when he worked as a secret agent.Empezó a depender del opio cuando trabajó como agente secreto.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Eugenio provides for three dependent relatives.Eugenio sostiene tres cargas familiares.
Other than my children, I have no dependent relatives.Aparte de mis hijos, no tengo familiares a mi cargo.
3. (grammar)
a. subordinado
We learned about dependent clauses in English class today.Aprendimos las cláusulas subordinadas hoy en la clase de inglés.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Dependent upon your answer to this question, the interview could go in different directions.En función de su respuesta a esta pregunta, la entrevista podría ir en diferentes direcciones.
Whether or not it snows tonight is dependent upon the temperature.Si nieva o no esta noche depende de la temperatura.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. la persona a cargo (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Max's children and his mother are his dependents, because he pays their living expenses.Los hijos y la mamá de Max son personas a su cargo, porque él paga sus gastos de manutención.
dependant(
dih
-
pehn
-
dihnt
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. la persona a cargo de otra (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Dependants acquire rights over the property of the people they depend on.Las personas a cargo de otras adquieren derechos sobre la propiedad de estas últimas.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
He has no children, no dependants, and, therefore, a higher disposable income.No tiene hijos ni cargas familiares y, por lo tanto, puede disponer de una parte mayor de sus ingresos.
Some people find themselves forced to leave their job to care for an elderly dependant.Hay quien se ve obligado a dejar el trabajo para cuidar de una persona anciana a su cargo.
