Spanish Conversation · Level 81
60 words
Spanish word
dictador
Pronunciation
IPA/diktaˈðoɾ/
Meaning
- masculine noundictator
Example
El dictador gobierna sin elecciones.
The dictator governs without elections.
More examples
Los manifestantes exigieron la salida del dictador.
The protesters demanded the departure of the dictator.
Core concept
An authoritarian leader who governs without accountability.
Common phrases
el dictador
the dictator
gobierno del dictador
the dictator's government
dictador de facto
de facto dictator
Similar words
autócrata: Governs so that personal commands are decisive and must be followed.
tirano: Rules by coercion and force to compel people's obedience.
opresor: Imposes power that restricts people's lives and produces hardship.
déspota: Rules in a domineering, unilateral way that overrides personal views.
Definition in Spanish
Persona que concentra el poder en sí misma y actúa sin rendir cuentas, a menudo suprimiendo la oposición.
Word origin
From Latin dictator via medieval Latin, built from dicere 'to say' plus the agent suffix -tor, originally the title of an emergency Roman magistrate and later a label for an absolute ruler.
Usage tips
- In news and everyday speech calling someone dictador is a strong political label, and speakers often use autoritario or gobernante to soften the description.