sheriff
/ˈʃeɾif/masculine
The English phrase "sheriff" can be translated into Spanish as sheriff or alguacil.
Meaning: all meanings (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sheriff | /ˈʃeɾif/ | masculine |
| alguacil | /alɡwaˈθil/ /alɡwaˈsil/ |
masculine |
The term sheriff is an Anglicism used in Spanish primarily when discussing the American legal system or the setting of Western movies. In more traditional Spanish contexts, you would use alguacil.
Which one should you use?
While sheriff is commonly used when referring specifically to the American law enforcement role seen in films, alguacil is the traditional Spanish term for a law enforcement officer or a bailiff.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain and certain Latin American countries such as Argentina and Uruguay, the term Comisario is commonly used to refer to a sheriff or a police officer in charge.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃeɾif/
Did you know?
- The word alguacil has a surprising connection to the Arabic word al-wazīr, meaning 'minister', which is also the ancestor of the English word 'vizier'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the title alguacil is more commonly associated with ceremonial roles in festivities or court bailiffs rather than a street-patrolling officer.
- While alguacil is the historical translation, using it to describe a modern American law enforcement officer might sound slightly archaic or overly formal in a casual conversation.
Examples in context
- Hay un gran tiroteo en mitad de la película y el sheriff acaba muerto.There's a big gunfight in the middle of the movie and the sheriff gets killed.This sentence shows the use of sheriff in the context of a movie.Tatoeba #2671621 by Shishir, translation #2664939 by Hybrid
- El sheriff llegó a la ciudad de inmediato.The sheriff arrived in the town immediately.
- El sheriff tiene mucha autoridad en este condado.The sheriff has a lot of authority in this county.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are discussing a Western movie they just watched.
- Sofía¿Quién era el protagonista de la película?Who was the protagonist of the movie?
- MateoEl sheriff era el héroe de la historia.The sheriff was the hero of the story.
- SofíaParecía un hombre muy valiente.He seemed like a very brave man.
- MateoSí, él siempre hacía lo correcto.Yes, he always did the right thing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sheriff” translations and entries sheriff, alguacil, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alguacil, sheriff, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
