consejo
/konˈsexo/
The English word 'council' is translated into Spanish as consejo.
The term refers to a committee that leads or governs. Note that consejo can also mean 'advice' in the sense of a recommendation.
Meaning: committee that leads or governs (noun)
Which one should you use?
While consejo is the general term for a governing body, it is also used for 'advice'. The plural form consejeros can be used to refer to the members of a council.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you may use ayuntamiento to refer to a council at the municipal level. In Argentina, the term consejo deliberante is used specifically for a council at the local government level.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun consejo is masculine and is typically used with the definite article el, as in el consejo.
How do you pronounce it?
/konˈsexo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse consejo (council/advice) with consejero (counselor/advisor).
Did you know?
- In some historical contexts, the term consejo referred to the 'Consejo de Indias', the powerful body that managed the affairs of the Spanish Empire in the Americas.
- While consejo is used for general councils, a 'council' in the sense of a religious assembly is often called a concilio, a word that sounds similar but has a different spiritual connotation.
- The Spanish word consejo is a cognate of the English word 'counsel'. Both words share a common ancestor in the Latin word cōnsilium.
Examples in context
- Lo acordó el consejo.The council agreed on it.This sentence shows how to express that the council reached an agreement using consejo.Tatoeba #2268077 by cueyayotl, translation #2268076 by _undertoad
- Tom y Mary son miembros del Consejo Galáctico.Tom and Mary are members of the Galactic Council.This sentence uses consejo to identify members of a specific group.Tatoeba #1754084 by Shishir, translation #1476558 by Spamster
- El consejo se ha reunido para analizar la recalendarización.The council held a meeting to analyse the rescheduling.This sentence demonstrates the use of consejo in the context of a meeting.Tatoeba #1136583 by marcelostockle, translation #1136598 by marcelostockle
- El Consejo de MinistrosThe Council of Ministers
- Consejo de SeguridadSecurity Council
- Consejo de AdministraciónBoard of Directors
- El Consejo de VecinosThe Neighborhood Council
- La asamblea de vecinosThe neighborhood assembly
- El consejo estudiantilThe student council
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing a local government decision at a café.
- ElenaEl consejo municipal aprobó la nueva ley.The city council approved the new law.
- Javier¿De verdad lo decidió el consejo?Did the council really decide that?
- ElenaSí, Javier, fue una decisión unánime.Yes, Javier, it was a unanimous decision.
- JavierElena, entonces no hay nada que podamos hacer.Elena, then there is nothing we can do.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry consejo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries consejo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
