How do you use "debt" in a sentence?

They took out a loan and are now heavily in debt. The national debt has reached record levels. I'll be forever in your debt for helping me through that difficult time.

debt

Q: What does "debt" mean?

Money that is owed to another person or organisation Debt refers to money or something of value that is owed to another party. It can apply to individuals, businesses, or governments. Common phrases include 'in debt' (owing money), 'debt-free' (having no debts), and 'in someone's debt' (feeling obligated to someone for their help). Note that the 'b' in debt is silent.

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: Money that is owed to another person or organisation

债务，欠款

deuda

借金、負債

다른 사람이나 조직에 빚진 돈

Debt refers to money or something of value that is owed to another party. It can apply to individuals, businesses, or governments. Common phrases include 'in debt' (owing money), 'debt-free' (having no debts), and 'in someone's debt' (feeling obligated to someone for their help). Note that the 'b' in debt is silent.

债务是指欠另一方的钱或有价值的东西。它可以适用于个人、企业或政府。常见短语包括'负债'（欠钱）、'无债务'（没有债务）和'欠某人人情'（因某人的帮助而感到有义务）。注意debt中的'b'是不发音的。

Debt se refiere al dinero o algo de valor que se debe a otra parte. Puede aplicarse a individuos, empresas o gobiernos. Las frases comunes incluyen «in debt» (deber dinero), «debt-free» (sin deudas) e «in someone's debt» (sentirse obligado con alguien por su ayuda). Note que la «b» en debt es muda.

借金とは、他者に対して負っているお金や価値のあるものを指します。個人、企業、政府に適用できます。一般的なフレーズには「借金がある」（お金を借りている）、「借金がない」（借金がない状態）、「恩義がある」（助けてもらったことに対して義理を感じる）などがあります。debtの「b」は発音しません。

Debt는 다른 사람에게 빚진 돈이나 가치 있는 것을 의미합니다. 개인, 기업 또는 정부에 적용될 수 있습니다. 일반적인 표현으로 'in debt'(빚을 지고 있는), 'debt-free'(빚이 없는), 'in someone's debt'(누군가에게 은혜를 입은)가 있습니다. 참고로 debt의 'b'는 묵음입니다.

Examples

They took out a loan and are now heavily in debt.
他们贷了款，现在负债累累。
Sacaron un préstamo y ahora están muy endeudados.
彼らはローンを組んで、今は多額の借金を抱えている。
그들은 대출을 받아서 지금은 빚이 많다.
The national debt has reached record levels.
国家债务已达到创纪录水平。
La deuda nacional ha alcanzado niveles récord.
国の債務は過去最高水準に達した。
국가 부채가 사상 최고 수준에 달했다.
I'll be forever in your debt for helping me through that difficult time.
在那段困难时期帮助了我，我永远欠你一个人情。
Estaré eternamente en deuda contigo por ayudarme en ese momento difícil.
あの困難な時期に助けてくれて、一生恩に着ます。
그 어려운 시기에 도와주셔서 평생 은혜를 잊지 못할 것입니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: general

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old French 'dette', from Latin 'debitum' (something owed), past participle of 'debēre' (to owe). The silent 'b' was added in the 16th century to reflect the Latin spelling. Related to 'debit' and 'due'.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Story & Trivia

The silent 'b' in 'debt' is a historical spelling quirk. The word came from Old French 'dette' (without a b), but Renaissance scholars added the 'b' to reflect the Latin root 'debitum'. The same happened with 'doubt' (from 'dubiter').