balance

noun bah-LAHN-seh Less Common

Origin: From Old French balance, from Latin bilanx (two-panned scale).

Also means

assessment

Usage Note

Balance is a partial false friend: in Spanish it primarily means a financial balance sheet or an end-of-period assessment (hacer balance del año — to take stock of the year), not physical equilibrium, which is equilibrio. The phrase balance positivo/negativo (positive/negative balance) is very common in business and journalism.

Examples

"La empresa presentó un balance positivo este año."

Natural Translation

The company reported a positive balance this year.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

The Spanish Cheek Kiss: Greeting Etiquette by Country

Two kisses in Spain, one in most of Latin America. Master the Spanish cheek kiss greeting — which cheek first, the air-kiss mechanics, and when to shake hands.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Numbers 1-100: Count, Spell & Pronounce

Spanish numbers 1 to 100 are a system, not a list: three patterns build every number. Master the spelling, the accent rule, and how to say prices fast.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Reflexive Verbs: Me, Te, Se Made Clear

Spanish reflexive verbs use me, te, se for actions you do to yourself. Master the daily-routine pattern, pronoun placement, and shifts like dormir vs dormirse.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Memorize Spanish Vocabulary Fast (That Sticks)

Memorize Spanish vocabulary fast with a 15-minute daily loop: spaced repetition, frequency-first words, and example-sentence cards that actually stick.

June 9, 2026 6 min read