orden de registro
/oɾden de ɾexistɾo/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase "search warrant" is translated into Spanish as orden de registro. Wiktionary also lists orden de cateo.
Meaning: court order authorising the search of a place (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| orden de registro | /oɾden de ɾexistɾo/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| orden de cateo | /oɾden de kateo/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
A search warrant is a court order authorising the search of a place.
Which one should you use?
While orden de registro is the standard term, orden de cateo is another way to express this. In specific legal contexts, you might also encounter mandamiento de registro or orden de allanamiento. Additionally, orden judicial de registro is used specifically when referring to a "judicial search warrant".
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun orden is feminine, so when referring to a single search warrant, you use the feminine indefinite article una to say una orden de registro.
How do you pronounce it?
/oɾden de ɾexistɾo/
Did you know?
- In some legal contexts, the term allanamiento is used to describe a search warrant, which literally translates to 'flattening' or 'leveling' a building.
- The term cateo comes from the verb catear, which originally meant to search for something by feeling around or poking with a stick.
- While orden de registro is used across the Spanish-speaking world, orden de cateo is a distinct regionalism primarily used in Mexico.
Examples in context
- Os dejé entrar en mi casa sin una orden de registro.I let you into my house without a search warrant.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone was allowed into a house without an orden de registro.Tatoeba #8689999 by ajje, translation #8690000 by ajje
- La policía necesita una orden de registro.The police need a search warrant.
- El juez firmó la orden de registro esta mañana.The judge signed the search warrant this morning.
Example conversation
Two lawyers are discussing a police raid in their office.
- DanielDaniel, ¿tienen ellos una orden de registro?Daniel, do they have a search warrant?
- ElenaNo, Elena, entraron sin ningún documento.No, Elena, they entered without any document.
- DanielEntonces el registro es ilegal.Then the search is illegal.
- ElenaSí, presentaremos una queja formal.Yes, we will file a formal complaint.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “search warrant” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cateo, de, orden, registro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
