Spanish Conversation · Level 101
60 words
Spanish word
decretar
Pronunciation
IPA/dekɾeˈtaɾ/
Meaning
- verbdecree
Example
El gobierno decretó un día festivo.
The government decreed a holiday.
More examples
Anoche las autoridades decretaron el estado de emergencia.
Last night the authorities declared a state of emergency.
Core concept
A formal act by government or court that creates and enforces a regulation or mandate.
Common phrases
decretar un día festivo
declare a public holiday
decretar el estado de emergencia
declare a state of emergency
Similar words
anunciar: Publicly communicates an event or decision so the public becomes aware.
establecer: Defines and codifies rules or institutional arrangements that govern behavior.
ordenar: Commands specific actions through an explicit order addressed to others.
Definition in Spanish
Emitir por autoridad un acto formal que impone una norma, medida o mandato.
Word origin
Derived from Latin decretum 'decision' and transmitted through medieval Latin, the Spanish verb decretar names the act of promulgating an official mandate.
Usage tips
- Common collocations include decretar un estado de alarma and decretar la expropiación, and the verb normally takes institutional agents rather than individual people as its subject.