Spanish Conversation · Level 118
59 words
Spanish word
caudillo
Pronunciation
IPA/kauˈðiʝo/
Meaning
- masculine nounleader
Example
Él se convirtió en el caudillo del movimiento.
He became the leader of the movement.
More examples
La población acusó al caudillo de restringir las libertades.
The population accused the leader of restricting freedoms.
Core concept
Charismatic leader who rules by personal authority rather than by formal institutions.
Common phrases
un caudillo autoritario
an authoritarian leader
el caudillo militar
the military leader
Similar words
líder: Person who guides and motivates a group or organization toward a shared goal.
jefe: Supervisor who assigns tasks and manages employees' day-to-day work.
dirigente: Organizer within a party or group who coordinates policy and collective action.
gobernante: Official who governs a country or region using formal state authority.
Definition in Spanish
Persona que dirige y manda por su autoridad personal, a menudo con influencia carismática y control directo sobre sus seguidores.
Word origin
From Latin caput 'head' via medieval Latin capitellum and Old Spanish cabdillo, the word developed the sense of a headman whose personal authority overrides institutional office.
Usage tips
- Often carries a political or historical charge in Spanish and sounds stronger than líder, and in neutral contexts speakers prefer líder or jefe.
Other meanings
- dictatornoun
- military commandernoun
- chieftainnoun
Opposites
- demócratademocratnoun
Related words
- caudillismocaudillismnoun
- caudillistacaudillistadjective