agentes del orden
/axentes del oɾden/from spelling rules
In Spanish, law enforcement officials is said as agentes del orden.
This phrase refers to people whose job is to ensure that people obey the law, such as police officers. In news reports or formal contexts, you may also see the broader synonym las autoridades used to refer to law enforcement officials.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of agentes (agents), del (of the) and orden (order).
Which one should you use?
Other specific formal terms include Funcionarios de la ley (law officials), Agentes de la autoridad (agents of authority) and Fuerzas del orden público (public order forces), which refers specifically to units or organizations responsible for maintaining law and order.
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, referring to law enforcement as la ley (the law) is a common shorthand, as in the phrase la ley llegó, meaning the police have arrived.
- While agentes del orden is formal, in many Spanish speaking countries the most common word for a police officer is poli, a friendly shortening that functions similarly to 'cop'.
- While agentes del orden is a general term, Spanish has highly specific words for different types of officers, such as guardia civil for rural police or policía municipal for city officers.
Examples in context
- Cuando los funcionarios de la ley llegaron a la escena del crimen, procedieron a recabar pruebas y entrevistar a los testigos.When the law enforcement officials arrived at the crime scene, they proceeded to gather evidence and interview witnesses.
- Ayer, unos policías me ayudaron a encontrar mi gato perdido.Yesterday, some police officers helped me find my lost cat.
- Los agentes del orden llegaron muy rápido.The law enforcement officials arrived very quickly.
- Debemos cooperar con los agentes del orden.We must cooperate with the law enforcement officials.
- Hay muchos agentes del orden en la ciudad.There are many law enforcement officials in the city.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are discussing a recent event in their neighborhood.
- MaríaVi a muchos agentes del orden hoy.I saw many law enforcement officials today.
- MateoSí, estaban investigando el accidente.Yes, they were investigating the accident.
- María¿Hablaste con los agentes del orden?Did you speak with the law enforcement officials?
- MateoNo, María, solo miré desde lejos.No, María, I only watched from afar.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
