Dilapidar is a verb.
/dila.piˈðaɾ/
Dilapidar refers to the act of wasting something, especially resources or money, in a reckless or careless manner. It implies a significant loss from poor management or financial irresponsibility. In Spanish, it is commonly used in both formal and colloquial contexts, although it tends to appear more in written texts, especially in discussions related to finance, budget management, or economic issues.
No debemos dilapidar nuestro tiempo en actividades poco productivas.
We shouldn't squander our time on unproductive activities.
La empresa ha dilapidado su presupuesto en proyectos innecesarios.
The company has wasted its budget on unnecessary projects.
Es fácil dilapidar el dinero si no se tiene un plan financiero claro.
It is easy to dissipate money if there is no clear financial plan.
The word "dilapidar" is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. However, there are various phrases in Spanish that convey the idea of wastefulness or poor management without using "dilapidar" directly. Here are a few examples:
El gobierno está dilapidando los recursos naturales sin considerar el medio ambiente.
The government is squandering natural resources without considering the environment.
Echar por la borda
Significa despreciar o desperdiciar algo de gran valor.
To throw overboard
Decidió echar por la borda sus ahorros en un capricho.
He decided to throw overboard his savings on a whim.
Tirar el dinero a la basura
Se usa para expresar que se está gastando dinero de manera muy tonta o inútil.
To throw money in the trash
The word dilapidar comes from the Latin term dilapidare, which means "to throw away stones" or "to waste." The root lapis means "stone," suggesting the idea of wasting something that should be valued or preserved.
In summary, dilapidar captures the notion of irresponsible wastefulness, particularly concerning financial matters, while also reflecting the importance of careful management of resources in both spoken and written Spanish.