verb

desperdiciar

waste

Usar algo sin cuidado o sin necesidad, haciendo que se pierda o no se aproveche bien.

To waste or squander: This is the most common use, referring to the act of using something (time, money, resources, or opportunities) in a careless or inefficient way, resulting in a loss.
- Example: "No deberías desperdiciar tu talento" (You should not waste your talent).
To fail to take advantage of: It can also mean to let an opportunity or a favorable circumstance slip away due to inaction or lack of judgment.
- Example: "Desperdició la oportunidad de ascender" (He squandered the opportunity to get promoted).

Grammar: It is a regular transitive verb ending in "-ar". It functions as an action verb and is often followed by a direct object.
Word origin: The word is formed by the prefix "des-" (denoting separation, reversal, or negation) and the word "perdiciar". "Perdiciar" comes from the Latin "perditio" (loss), which derives from the verb "perdere" (to lose, to destroy). Thus, the word essentially implies "to cause a loss" or "to undo the value of something."

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No quiero desperdiciar esta oportunidad.verb

I do not want to waste this opportunity.

Nunca debes desperdiciar comida en la mesa.verb

You should never waste food on the table.

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