Spanish Conversation · Level 29
89 words
Spanish word
autoridad
Pronunciation
IPA/awtoɾiˈðað/
Meaning
- feminine nounauthority
Example
Contacta a las autoridades si hay un problema.
Contact the authorities if there is a problem.
More examples
Los alumnos deben respetar a la autoridad en la escuela.
Students should respect authority at school.
Core concept
Gavel and official seal.
Common phrases
respetar a la autoridad
respect authority
autoridad local
local authority
órdenes de la autoridad
orders from the authority
Similar words
gobierno: Sets national laws and overall public policy.
policía: Responds to incidents and enforces public order.
administración: Runs public services and handles government administration.
ministerio: Leads policy and regulation for a specific government area.
Definition in Spanish
Institución o persona con poder legal para tomar decisiones y dar órdenes en asuntos públicos.
Word origin
Comes from Latin auctoritas, from auctor 'author, originator', and entered Spanish via medieval forms.
Usage tips
- Spanish often uses the plural las autoridades to mean the police or public agencies, so context decides whether it refers to an institution or a specific official.
Other meanings
- powernoun
- expertnoun
Opposites
- desobedienciadisobediencenoun
- anarquíaanarchynoun
Related words
- autorizarauthorizeverb
- autorizaciónauthorizationnoun