ayuntamiento
/aʝuntaˈmjento/Spain, masculine
The English phrase "city council" is translated into Spanish as ayuntamiento. Wiktionary also lists concejo.
Meaning: town/city governing body (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ayuntamiento | /aʝuntaˈmjento/ | Spain, masculine |
| concejo | /konˈθexo/ /konˈsexo/ |
masculine |
The term ayuntamiento is used to refer to both the governing body of a city and the physical town hall building.
Which one should you use?
In Spain, ayuntamiento is the most common term for the city council or the municipal government building. In Latin American contexts, concejo or municipalidad are often used to refer to the council.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, the term municipalidad is predominantly used to refer to the city council.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ayuntamiento is a masculine noun and requires the masculine article el.
How do you pronounce it?
/aʝuntaˈmjento/
Did you know?
- The word ayuntamiento shares a linguistic ancestor with the word yunta, which refers to a 'team' or 'yoke' of oxen. Both words trace back to the Latin concept of joining things together.
- Although they sound similar, concejo and concilio are different words in Spanish. While concejo refers to a municipal council, concilio is almost exclusively used for religious church councils.
Examples in context
- El ayuntamiento ha requerido el pago de la multa.The city council has requested the payment of the fine.This sentence is useful for showing how ayuntamiento is used in a context involving a fine.Tatoeba #8790308 by arh, translation #8790753 by carlosalberto
- En el Ayuntamiento de Madrid se debaten las medidas para mejorar la ciudad.At the city council of Madrid, measures to improve the city are being discussed.
- El Concejo Municipal de Santiago aprobó por unanimidad la construcción de un nuevo hospital.The city council of Santiago unanimously approved the construction of a new hospital.
- El Cabildo de Puebla ha implementado nuevas políticas para el desarrollo urbano.The city council of Puebla has implemented new policies for urban development.
- No estoy de acuerdo con las decisiones que toma el municipio de mi ciudad.I do not agree with the decisions made by the city council of my city.
- El ayuntamiento de la ciudad es muy antiguo.The city council building is very old.
- Mañana hay una reunión en el ayuntamiento.Tomorrow there is a meeting at the city council.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are discussing local government matters in a park.
- María¿Sabes algo sobre el nuevo proyecto del ayuntamiento?Do you know anything about the city council's new project?
- MateoNo, no he leído nada todavía, María.No, I haven't read anything yet, María.
- MaríaParece que el ayuntamiento lo aprobará pronto.It seems the city council will approve it soon.
- MateoEspero que sea una buena noticia para el pueblo.I hope it is good news for the town.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “city council” translations and entries ayuntamiento, concejo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ayuntamiento, concejo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
