Spanish word

diligencia

Pronunciation

IPA/diliˈxenθja/

Meaning

  • feminine nounprocedure

Example

Tengo que hacer una diligencia en el banco.

I have to carry out a procedure at the bank.

Illustration for diligencia (procedure)

More examples

Tengo varias diligencias pendientes que terminar hoy.

I have several outstanding formalities to finish today.

Core concept

Short administrative errand.

Common phrases

  • realizar diligencias administrativas

    perform administrative formalities

  • diligencias pendientes

    outstanding formalities

  • hacer diligencias

    run errands

Similar words

recado: Short errand run for someone else, typically to deliver or collect an item.
trámite: Formal administrative procedure of submitting documents and receiving official processing.
gestión: Arrangement and handling of steps or actions needed to resolve or advance a matter.
encargo: Task or job entrusted by another person, taken on to carry out their request.

Definition in Spanish

Actividad o trámite breve que se realiza para atender un asunto práctico cotidiano, como pagar, recoger o gestionar un documento.

Word origin

From Latin diligentia meaning 'carefulness', the word shifted in Spanish to denote a brief act or trámite performed carefully to handle a practical matter.

Usage tips

  • Often used in the plural (hacer diligencias or ir de diligencias) even for a single errand, and it is a false friend of English 'diligence' which means carefulness.

Other meanings

  • errandnoun

Opposites

  • negligencianegligencenoun

Related words

  • diligenciarcomplete formalitiesverb
  • diligenteconscientiousadjective

Word lists with this word