justicia penal
/xustiθja penal/from spelling rules
The English phrase "criminal justice" is translated into Spanish as justicia penal.
Justicia penal refers to the system of laws and institutions used to punish people who commit crimes. When you wish to refer specifically to the institution itself, the phrase sistema de justicia penal (criminal justice system) is used.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of justicia, meaning justice and penal, meaning criminal or penal.
Which one should you use?
While justicia penal refers to the criminal justice system, the term justicia civil is used to refer to the civil justice system. In some countries, the term derecho penal (penal law) might be used interchangeably with justicia penal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Justicia criminal is a formal expression particularly common in various regions of Latin America.
How do you pronounce it?
/xustiθja penal/
Did you know?
- The term justicia comes from the same Proto-Indo-European root as the word for 'youth' in some ancient contexts, relating to the idea of being 'new' or 'fresh' in certain linguistic evolutions.
- In many Spanish-speaking legal systems, a person is not just a 'criminal' but can be referred to as a 'imputado' if they are under investigation.
- In Spanish, justicia is used both for the abstract concept of fairness and for the physical judicial system, unlike English which often separates 'justice' from 'the judiciary'.
Examples in context
- El sistema de justicia penal garantiza el debido proceso legal para los acusados.The criminal justice system ensures due process for the accused.
- El informe trata sobre la situación de la delincuencia juvenil en el sistema judicial.The report addresses the situation of juvenile delinquency in the judicial system.
- La justicia penal y los derechos humanos son fundamentales para un sistema judicial justo.Criminal justice and human rights are fundamental for a fair judicial system.
- La justicia penal es necesaria para la sociedad.Criminal justice is necessary for society.
- El sistema de justicia penal necesita reformas.The criminal justice system needs reforms.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing their university majors.
- MateoHola Lucía, ¿qué estudias en la universidad?Hi Lucía, what are you studying at the university?
- LucíaEstudio derecho y justicia penal, Mateo.I study law and criminal justice, Mateo.
- MateoEso suena muy difícil e interesante.That sounds very difficult and interesting.
- LucíaSí, me apasiona ayudar a las personas.Yes, I am passionate about helping people.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries justicia, penal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
