Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| alcalde | /alˈkalde/ | masculine |
| alcaldesa | /alkalˈdesa/ | feminine |
| intendente | /intenˈdente/ | Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, feminine, masculine |
| presidente municipal | /pɾesiˌdente muniθiˈpal/ /pɾesiˌdente munisiˈpal/ |
Mexico, feminine, masculine |
| síndico | /ˈsindiko/ | Dominican Republic, masculine |
The term for a leader of a city varies depending on the country and the specific administrative context. While alcalde is the most common and standard term for mayor in Spanish, other specific titles are used in different regions.
Which one should you use?
alcalde is the standard term, while alcaldesa is used specifically when referring to a female mayor. In certain countries, completely different titles are preferred, such as intendente, presidente municipal or síndico.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, the term intendente is commonly used for a mayor. In Mexico, the title presidente municipal is used to refer to a mayor. In the Dominican Republic, the term síndico is used for a mayor.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of alcalde is alcaldesa.
How do you pronounce it?
/alˈkalde/
Did you know?
- The word alcalde reveals a deep history of coexistence, as it actually derives from the Arabic word for 'the judge', al-qāḍī.
Examples in context
- ¿Eres tú el alcalde?Are you the mayor?Tatoeba #5120000 by albrusgher, translation #773387 by marloncori
- Él conoce al alcalde.He knows the mayor.Tatoeba #2229519 by marcelostockle, translation #9836078 by Luornu
- Él juró como alcalde.He was sworn in as mayor.Tatoeba #5120057 by albrusgher, translation #297171 by CK
- El alcalde de la ciudad inauguró el nuevo parqueThe mayor of the city inaugurated the new park.
- Nuestro jefe es un buen alcalde, siempre escucha nuestras preocupacionesOur boss is a good mayor, he always listens to our concerns.
- La alcaldesa mayor se reunió con los líderes comunitarios para discutir los problemas del vecindarioThe highest-ranking female mayor met with community leaders to discuss neighborhood issues.
- Estaba hablando con el presidente municipal sobre los proyectos de desarrollo en nuestra localidadI was discussing local development projects with the mayor.
- 55 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are talking about local government.
- MaríaMañana tenemos una cita con el alcalde.Tomorrow we have an appointment with the mayor.
- JavierEspero que el alcalde escuche nuestras quejas.I hope the mayor listens to our complaints.
- MaríaÉl es un hombre muy comprensivo.He is a very understanding man.
- JavierEso es bueno para nuestra ciudad.That is good for our city.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mayor” translations and entries alcalde, alcaldesa, intendente, presidente municipal, síndico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alcalde, alcaldesa, intendente, municipal, presidente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
