licencia
/liˈθenθja/feminine
The Spanish word for license is licencia.
The noun licencia refers to a legal document that provides official permission to do something. While you may see the term licencia de conducción in some regions, it is very common to use licencia de conducir to refer specifically to a driver's license.
Meaning: legal document giving official permission to do something (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, licencia can also be referred to as patente. In Spain, the word carné is most commonly used specifically for a driver's license, though you may also hear permiso de conducir.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun licencia is feminine and requires the feminine article la. The plural form of the word is licencias.
How do you pronounce it?
/liˈθenθja/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word licencia shares the same Latin root as the English word 'licentious', which describes someone who ignores moral restraints.
- In academic contexts, licenciatura is the degree earned after completing a university program, deriving from the same root as licencia.
- While licencia is a formal term for permission, the word carné used in Spain comes from the French word carnet meaning a small notebook.
Examples in context
- ¿Tienes licencia de caza?Do you have a hunting license?This sentence is useful for asking if someone possesses a hunting license using licencia.Tatoeba #1748248 by Shishir, translation #1553518 by CK
- A Tom le suspendieron su licencia.Tom has had his license suspended.This sentence describes the suspension of a license using licencia.Tatoeba #1567733 by marcelostockle, translation #1556087 by CK
- ¿No tienes licencia de conducción?You don't have a driver's license?This sentence is useful for asking about a driver's license using licencia.Tatoeba #3430520 by gianich73, translation #3444913 by LishaR
- Tengo que renovar mi licencia de conducir.I need to renew my driver's license.
- ¿Tienes algún permiso para conducir?Do you have any driving license?
- ¿Tienes los papeles para manejar esta motocicleta?Do you have the papers to drive this motorcycle?
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are talking about a new business in a cafe.
- Javier¿Ya tienes la licencia para el negocio?Do you already have the license for the business?
- LucíaSí, Javier, recibí la licencia esta mañana.Yes, Javier, I received the license this morning.
- Javier¡Qué bueno! Lucía, finalmente podemos empezar.That's great! Lucía, we can finally start.
- LucíaEstoy muy emocionada por este proyecto.I am very excited about this project.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “license” translations and entries licencia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries licencia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
