abogado
/aboˈɡado/masculine
The Spanish word for attorney is abogado.
The term abogado is used to refer to both defense attorneys and prosecutors. You can specify a specialty by adding the field to the end of the term: abogado penalista for a criminal lawyer or abogado laboralista for a labor lawyer.
Meaning: lawyer (noun)
Which one should you use?
While abogado is the standard term for an attorney, letrado is a more formal, technical term often used in legal documents to mean 'learned counsel'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes to abogada when referring to a female attorney. For groups, abogados is used for a group of male attorneys or a mixed-gender group. If you are referring exclusively to a group of female attorneys, use abogadas.
How do you pronounce it?
/aboˈɡado/
Did you know?
- In many Latin American countries, a lawyer is often called a licenciado instead of an abogado in professional or social settings.
- The formal term letrado comes from the Latin word for 'letter' or 'writing', implying that the attorney is a person of letters and literature.
- In Spain, you might hear the term procurador, which refers to a specific legal professional who handles procedural tasks, a role distinct from an abogado.
Examples in context
- Soy el abogado de Tom.I'm Tom's attorney.This sentence is useful for stating your professional relationship to someone using abogado.Tatoeba #2624614 by Shishir, translation #2235777 by CK
- Quiero hablar con mi abogado, ahora.I want to speak with my attorney, now.This sentence is useful for expressing an immediate need to consult an abogado.Tatoeba #4799602 by Shishir, translation #4879873 by zvzuibqx
- El abogado defensor pidió piedad para el condenado.The defense attorney asked for mercy for the condemned man.This sentence is useful for describing the actions of a defense attorney using abogado.Tatoeba #2268089 by cueyayotl, translation #2268088 by _undertoad
- El abogado presentó evidencia contundente en el juicio.The attorney presented compelling evidence in the trial.
- Voy a visitar un bufete de abogados en el centro de la ciudad.I'm going to visit a law firm in the city center.
- Buenas tardes, licenciada. Necesito asesoría legal para este caso.Good afternoon, attorney. I need legal advice for this case.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing a legal problem at home.
- MateoNecesito contratar a un abogado pronto.I need to hire an attorney soon.
- LucíaYo conozco a un abogado muy bueno.I know a very good attorney.
- Mateo¿Es él un abogado especializado en contratos?Is he an attorney specializing in contracts?
- LucíaSí, es el mejor abogado de la ciudad.Yes, he is the best attorney in the city.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “attorney” translations and entries abogado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
