Spanish Conversation · Level 10
88 words
Spanish word
ley
Pronunciation
IPA/lej/
Meaning
- feminine nounlaw
Example
La ley protege a los consumidores.
The law protects consumers.
More examples
Hicieron cumplir la ley en el barrio.
They enforced the law in the neighborhood.
Core concept
A legal norm recorded or approved by an authority that governs conduct.
Common phrases
cumplir la ley
comply with the law
hacer cumplir la ley
enforce the law
la ley vigente
the law in force
Similar words
norma: Social or organizational standard that prescribes expected behavior.
regla: Specific, practical rule guiding everyday actions or procedures.
ordenanza: Regulatory rule issued by local government that applies within a municipality.
Definition in Spanish
Norma jurídica escrita o aprobada por una autoridad pública que regula la conducta y obliga su cumplimiento.
Word origin
The term stems from Latin lex (genitive legis) and reaches Spanish through the medieval form lei, with sound changes yielding ley.
Usage tips
- As a feminine noun la ley takes feminine articles and adjectives, and speakers commonly say la ley establece... to report what the law states.