ordenanza municipal
/oɾdenanθa muniθipal/from spelling rules
The English phrase "city ordinance" is translated into Spanish as ordenanza municipal.
ordenanza municipal is used in legal and administrative contexts to refer to local government regulations.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ordenanza (ordinance) and municipal (municipal/city-related).
Which one should you use?
While ordenanza municipal refers specifically to local municipal regulations, ley is used for laws enacted at a state or national level.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the expression ordenanzas municipales is used to refer to city ordinances. In certain parts of Mexico, the term bandos municipales is used to refer to city ordinances.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural, both the noun ordenanza and the adjective municipal must take the plural suffix '-s'. El reglamento municipal is singular and masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/oɾdenanθa muniθipal/
Did you know?
- In some regions of Mexico, you will see the term bandos municipales instead of ordenanzas. The word bando originally referred to a public proclamation shouted or read aloud in the town square.
- The word ordenanza shares its roots with the English word 'order', stemming from the Latin 'ordinare' which means to set in a specific arrangement.
- While ley is the general word for 'law', using it for a city ordinance in a Spanish-speaking country can be a legal mistake, as it implies the rule was passed by a national parliament.
Examples in context
- La nueva ordenanza municipal prohíbe el ruido nocturno.The new city ordinance prohibits night noise.
- Debemos cumplir con la ordenanza municipal de limpieza.We must comply with the city cleanliness ordinance.
- Esa ordenanza municipal regula el uso de los parques.That city ordinance regulates the use of parks.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are discussing a parking fine.
- LucíaDaniel, me pusieron una multa por estacionar aquí.Daniel, I got a ticket for parking here.
- DanielEs que hay una ordenanza municipal contra eso.It's because there is a city ordinance against that.
- LucíaNo sabía que existía esa ley local.I didn't know that local law existed.
- DanielAhora ya lo sabes, Lucía.Now you know, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries municipal, ordenanza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
