How to Say "Courthouse" in Spanish

palacio de justicia

/palaθjo de xustiθja/from spelling rulesmasculine

The English word courthouse is translated into Spanish as palacio de justicia.

Palacio de justicia is used to describe the public building that houses courts of law. While this term refers to the grand building itself, in everyday speech, people more commonly use el juzgado to refer to the specific court or the local courthouse.

Meaning: public building housing courts of law (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase palacio de justicia literally translates to palace of justice.

Which one should you use?

While palacio de justicia refers to the grand building, el juzgado is a more common way to refer to the specific court or the local courthouse in everyday speech.

Is it said differently in some regions?

Palacio de Justicia is used in some Latin American countries to mean courthouse.

How does it change in a sentence?

To make the phrase plural, only the noun palacio changes to palacios, while de justicia remains singular.

How do you pronounce it?

/palaθjo de xustiθja/

Did you know?

The word palacio derives from the Latin palātium, which was originally the name of a specific hill in Rome.
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the use of palacio emphasizes the dignity and solemnity of the law rather than indicating the building is an actual royal palace.

Examples in context

Mi abogado me citó a comparecer ante el juzgado mañana.
My lawyer summoned me to appear before the courthouse tomorrow.
El juicio se llevará a cabo en el Tribunal de Justicia de la ciudad.
The trial will take place at the city courthouse.
Ya terminé de testificar en el tribunal.
I'm done testifying at the courthouse.
Se rumorea que el juicio se llevará a cabo en el Tribunal de Justicia del pueblo.
Rumor has it that the trial will take place at the town's courthouse.
La audiencia tendrá lugar en el Palacio de Justicia.
The hearing will take place at the courthouse.
El palacio de justicia es muy grande.
The courthouse is very large.
Tengo que ir al palacio de justicia hoy.
I have to go to the courthouse today.
La cita es en el palacio de justicia.
The appointment is at the courthouse.

Example conversation

Mateo and Sofía are talking about a legal appointment in the city.

Mateo

¿Sabes dónde está el palacio de justicia?
Do you know where the courthouse is?
Sofía

Sí, está cerca de la plaza principal.
Yes, it is near the main square.
Mateo

Perfecto, buscaré el palacio de justicia en el mapa.
Perfect, I will look for the courthouse on the map.
Sofía

Es un edificio muy fácil de encontrar.
It is a very easy building to find.

Sources

Wiktionary, “courthouse” translations, 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 de, justicia, palacio, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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How to Say “Courthouse” in Spanish