legal
/leˈɡal/
In Spanish, the word for "legal" is legal.
The adjective legal is used to describe something that is allowed or prescribed by law.
Meaning: allowed or prescribed by law (adj)
Which one should you use?
While legal is the standard term, you may encounter other words depending on the specific nuance: jurídico is used specifically for technical or formal legal contexts and legítimo refers to something that is considered lawful or legitimate.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective legal must agree in number with the noun it modifies. It becomes legales when describing plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/leˈɡal/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, legal is used as slang to describe a person who is honest, genuine or 'cool'.
- The word legal is a doublet of the word leal, which means 'loyal'. Both words evolved from the same Latin root meaning 'law'.
- In certain contexts, particularly in the Caribbean, the phrase ¿Es legal? can be used to ask if something is 'fair' or 'just' rather than strictly permitted by statute.
Examples in context
- Esto es totalmente legal.This is perfectly legal.Tatoeba #7480843 by arh, translation #3521987 by Hybrid
- La esclavitud era legal ahí.Slavery was legal there.Tatoeba #1388308 by marcelostockle, translation #806861 by Source_VOA
- Todo es perfectamente legal.It's all perfectly legal.Tatoeba #4051239 by gianich73, translation #3734286 by CK
- El contrato es legal y válido.The contract is legal and valid.
- El problema se resolvió siguiendo un enfoque jurídico adecuado.The problem was resolved following an appropriate legal approach.
- Los herederos tienen derecho a reclamar su parte legítima de la herencia.The heirs have the right to claim their legitimate share of the inheritance.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are discussing a new business contract in an office.
- Lucía¿Es este contrato legal?Is this contract legal?
- DanielSí, todo es legal.Yes, everything is legal.
- LucíaMe alegra que sea un documento legal.I am glad it is a legal document.
- DanielEs importante que lo sea.It is important that it is.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “legal” translations and entries legal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries legal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
