Spanish word

árbitro

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaɾβitɾo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounreferee

Example

El árbitro no vio la falta.

The referee did not see the foul.

Illustration for árbitro (referee)

More examples

Tenemos que aceptar la decisión del árbitro y seguir jugando.

We have to accept the referee's decision and keep playing.

Core concept

Official who judges rule breaches and issues penalties.

Common phrases

  • aceptar la decisión del árbitro

    accept the referee's decision

  • respetar al árbitro

    respect the referee

  • pitar al árbitro

    boo the referee

Similar words

juez: Official who hears legal cases, decides disputes, and applies laws in court.

Definition in Spanish

Persona que interviene para juzgar el cumplimiento de normas en una actividad o conflicto y que decide sobre sanciones o resoluciones.

Word origin

From Latin arbiter 'judge or decision-maker', which passed into Spanish through medieval Romance to name an official who enforces rules and decides sanctions.

Usage tips

  • In sports 'árbitro' is the usual word for the referee, while in legal or formal dispute contexts it corresponds to an 'arbitrator', so check context before choosing the English equivalent.

Other meanings

  • arbitratornoun

Word lists with this word