Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tribunal | /tɾibuˈnal/ | masculine |
| corte | /ˈkoɾte/ | feminine |
| juzgado | /xuθˈɡado/ /xusˈɡado/ |
masculine |
When referring to a hall, chamber or place where justice is administered, Spanish uses several terms depending on the context. While corte is used in general speech, it can also refer to a royal court (la corte real). For more technical or legal contexts, specialized terms are preferred.
Which one should you use?
Corte is common in everyday speech, whereas tribunal is a more formal and technical term used specifically in legal contexts. Juzgado has a more specific meaning, referring to the physical court building or the specific office of a judge, whereas tribunal refers more to the judicial body or institution.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In South American countries, the phrase cancha de tenis is used to refer to a tennis court. In Caribbean and Andalusian Spanish, speakers may use juzgao instead of juzgado to refer to a court.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Corte is a feminine noun and must be preceded by feminine articles like la or una. Tribunal is a masculine noun and must be preceded by masculine articles like el or un.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾibuˈnal/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to use the noun corte when you intend to use the verb for courting or wooing someone, which is cortejar.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word corte has two completely different origins. One refers to a judicial or royal court, while the other refers to the act of cutting, coming from the verb cortar.
Examples in context
- Te veré en la corte.I'll see you in court.This sentence shows how to use corte.Tatoeba #4552954 by DarkHollow, translation #4483244 by Hybrid
- Tom está en la corte.Tom is in court.Tatoeba #6084190 by JRB, translation #2273220 by CK
- Nos vemos en el tribunal.See you in court.This sentence shows how to use tribunal.Tatoeba #2440372 by marcelostockle, translation #3527395 by Hybrid
- El testigo debe presentarse en el tribunal el día señalado.The witness must appear in court on the scheduled day.
- El caso será llevado al juzgado para su resolución.The case will be taken to court for resolution.
- Vamos a practicar en la cancha de tenis después de la escuela.Let's practice at the tennis court after school.
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are discussing a legal appointment.
- Sofía¿Dónde es la cita, Mateo?Where is the appointment, Mateo?
- MateoEs en el tribunal central.It is at the central court.
- SofíaEstá lejos de tu oficina.It is far from your office.
- MateoSí, pero debo ir allí.Yes, but I must go there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “court” translations and entries tribunal, corte, juzgado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries corte, juzgado, tribunal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
