The term expediente refers to a collection of documents, records, or files related to a specific case, person, or topic. It is commonly used in legal, administrative, and bureaucratic contexts to indicate the formal documentation relevant to any process or situation.
In Spanish, expediente can be used in both oral and written contexts, but it tends to be more prevalent in written forms due to its association with formal processes such as legal reports or administrative paperwork.
The file of the case was submitted to the court.
Necesitamos revisar el expediente antes de tomar una decisión.
We need to review the dossier before making a decision.
El expediente médico del paciente está completo.
While expediente is less frequently associated with idiomatic expressions, it can still appear in some contexts related to formal processes and accountability.
To submit an empty file (meaning to submit information without content).
Tener un expediente limpio.
To have a clean record (referring to someone without any legal or formal troubles).
Recoger el expediente.
The word expediente derives from the Latin word expediens, which means to set free or to facilitate, and is related to expedire, meaning to prepare or expedite. Over time, it has evolved to refer specifically to prepared documents or files related to administrative processes.
In summary, expediente is an important term used predominantly in formal contexts in Spanish. It is essential for various administrative, legal, and economic processes, often serving as a standardized means of organizing information related to a specific subject or case.