Noun
/ˈkjebaɾa/
The term "quiebra" commonly refers to the legal state of a person or entity that cannot pay its debts. In economic and financial contexts, it signifies a company or individual's failure to meet financial obligations, leading to insolvency. The word is frequently encountered in written contexts, such as legal documents, business reports, and economic analyses. However, it also appears in oral discussions amongst professionals in legal and financial fields.
La empresa fue declarada en quiebra después de no poder pagar sus deudas.
The company was declared bankrupt after failing to pay its debts.
La quiebra de aquel banco tuvo un efecto dominó en la economía local.
The collapse of that bank had a domino effect on the local economy.
Muchos pequeños negocios enfrentan la quiebra debido a la crisis económica.
Many small businesses face bankruptcy due to the economic crisis.
While "quiebra" itself is not commonly used in a wide array of idiomatic expressions, it does form part of specific phrases related to financial failure or distress:
La tienda está a punto de ir a la quiebra si no aumenta sus ventas.
The store is on the verge of going bankrupt if it doesn't increase its sales.
Declarar quiebra
To declare bankruptcy
Después de muchos años de pérdidas, finalmente decidieron declarar quiebra.
After many years of losses, they finally decided to declare bankruptcy.
Quiebra técnica
Technical bankruptcy
"Quiebra" originates from the Latin word "crepare," which means "to break." The evolution of the term reflects its application to contexts involving failure or breakdown, especially financial breakdowns.