bajos fondos (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Bajos fondos is a noun phrase.

Phonetic Transcription

/baxos ˈfondoʊs/

Translation Options

• Bajos - Low
• Fondos - Depths / background

Meaning and Usage

Bajos fondos literally translates to "low depths" or "low backgrounds", but it is commonly used to refer to the underworld or a criminal environment, as well as socioeconomic impoverishment. The phrase often connotes a sense of desperation or moral decay associated with the darker, hidden parts of society.

• Frequency of Use: The term is moderately popular in both spoken and written contexts, often appearing in literature, films, and conversations surrounding crime and social issues. It is used more frequently in written contexts, especially in narratives or discussions about social problems.

Example Sentences

1. Los bajos fondos de la ciudad están llenos de peligros.
   The low depths of the city are filled with dangers.

2. Ella decidió alejarse de los bajos fondos y buscar una vida mejor.
   She decided to distance herself from the underworld and seek a better life.

3. Los relatos sobre los bajos fondos pueden ser muy intrigantes.
   Stories about the low depths can be very intriguing.

Idiomatic Expressions

The term bajos fondos is often incorporated into various idiomatic expressions and discussions about crime, survival, and social issues. Below are some examples:

1. Vivir en los bajos fondos.
   To live in the underworld.
   This expression refers to living a life filled with crime or in dire poverty.

2. Salir de los bajos fondos.
   To rise out of the underworld.
   This means to overcome a difficult or criminal past and improve one’s life situation.

3. Explorar los bajos fondos de la sociedad.
   To explore the low depths of society.
   This phrase is often used to describe investigating the darker sides of social issues.

4. La novela se adentra en los bajos fondos de la ciudad.
   The novel delves into the underbelly of the city.
   This implies that the story reveals hidden truths about the criminal aspects of urban life.

5. No quiero regresar a los bajos fondos.
   I don’t want to return to the underworld.
   A personal expression of desire to avoid a life of crime or hardship.

Etymology

The phrase bajos fondos combines the adjective bajos, meaning low or shallow, with the noun fondos, which means depths or backgrounds. The term has evolved to symbolize the lower strata of society and the darker aspects of human experience, particularly relating to crime and socioeconomic struggles.

Synonyms

• Submundo (Underworld)
• Margen (Margins)
• Bajo mundo (Low world)

Antonyms

• Altos fondos (High depths)
• Superficie (Surface)
• Éxito (Success)

This comprehensive overview should offer a deeper understanding of the phrase bajos fondos, its usage, and its implications in the Spanish language.