Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| público | /ˈpubliko/ | masculine |
| audiencia | /auˈdjenθja/ /auˈdjensja/ |
feminine |
| graderío | /ɡɾadeɾio/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term used for audience depends on whether you are referring to people watching a live event or people consuming media. Público is the standard term for a group of people physically present at a live performance, such as a concert or a play. In contrast, audiencia is used when referring to a media audience, such as viewers of a television program or listeners of a radio show.
What does it mean word for word?
Graderío refers literally to the physical structure of tiered seating, such as the stands in a stadium, rather than the people sitting in them.
Which one should you use?
While público describes the people at a live event, audiencia is reserved for media audiences (TV or radio). Graderío should be used specifically to talk about the seating area or the stands themselves.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, particularly within theater contexts, the term galería can be used to refer to the audience located in upper levels or balconies. In Argentina, the word oyentes is often used to refer to an audience, specifically in the context of radio or podcasts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase el público is a singular masculine noun. Even though it refers to a group of people, it requires singular verb agreement.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpubliko/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using audiencia to refer to a group of people at a live performance like a play or concert. Instead, use público.
Did you know?
- The word audiencia can also mean a formal 'audience' with a high-ranking official or a judge, rather than just a group of listeners.
- In some traditional Spanish theaters, the público in the galería was historically the working class, creating a social divide based on where the audience sat.
- The term público comes from the Latin pūblicus, which is a learned borrowing rather than a word that evolved naturally through spoken Vulgar Latin.
Examples in context
- Tomás estaba en el público.Tom was in the audience.This sentence uses público to show someone's location within a group.Tatoeba #5024723 by don_ramon, translation #5024676 by CK
- ¡Al público le va a gustar!The audience will like it!This sentence shows how to express that the público will enjoy something.Tatoeba #12017947 by emma_zunz, translation #11951554 by zogwarg
- El público parecía aburrido.The audience appeared bored.This sentence describes the mood of the público.Tatoeba #3081353 by marcelostockle, translation #20937 by spockofvulcan
- El público aplaudió entusiasmado al final del concierto.The audience applauded enthusiastically at the end of the concert.
- 52 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are leaving a theater.
- LucíaEl público aplaudió mucho al final.The audience applauded a lot at the end.
- AlejandroSí, fue una reacción increíble.Yes, it was an incredible reaction.
- LucíaMe gusta cuando el público participa.I like it when the audience participates.
- AlejandroYo también, hace el show más divertido.Me too, it makes the show more fun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “audience” translations and entries público, audiencia, graderío, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries audiencia, público, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
