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"Malgastar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to waste", and "despilfarrar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to squander". Learn more about the difference between "malgastar" and "despilfarrar" below.
malgastar(
mahl
-
gahs
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (misuse)
a. to waste
No malgastes agua, Sebas. Cierra la llave, por favor.Don't waste water, Sebas. Turn off the faucet, please.
No malgastes tu tiempo con él. No está buscando una relación seria.Don't waste your time on him. He's not looking for anything serious.
b. to squander
Podríamos habernos ido de vacaciones si no hubieses malgastado nuestro dinero en ropa.We could have gone on vacation if you hadn't squandered our money on clothes.
despilfarrar(
dehs
-
peel
-
fah
-
rrahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (general)
a. to squander
Paul despilfarra su dinero comprando artilugios costosos que no necesita.Paul squanders his money buying expensive gadgets he doesn't need.
El millonario despilfarró su fortuna en coches deportivos.The millionaire squandered his fortune on sports cars.
b. to waste
Nos queda poca agua. ¡No la despilfarres regando las plantas!We're running out of water. Don't waste it on the plants!
