How to Say "System" in Spanish

sistema

/sisˈtema/masculine

The English word 'system' is translated into Spanish as sistema.

sistema refers to a group or set of related things that operate together as a complex whole.

Meaning: group or set of related things that operate together as a complex whole (noun)

Which one should you use?

You might use protocolo when specifically describing a system of rules or procedures.

The plural form of sistema is sistemas. It is a masculine noun.

/sisˈtema/

Although sistema ends in 'a', it is a masculine noun. You say el sistema instead of la sistema.
In Spanish, the word sistema is often used in the phrase el sistema to refer specifically to 'the establishment' or the government's political structure.
The word sistema is a direct descendant of the Ancient Greek word σύστημα, which literally translates to 'a thing standing together'.

Es un buen sistema.
It's a good system.
This sentence shows how to describe a system using sistema.
Tatoeba #5054045 by don_ramon, translation #3565823 by CK
Nos encanta el sistema.
We love the system.
This sentence expresses an affection for a system using sistema.
Tatoeba #6882922 by diegohn, translation #5756760 by CM
El sistema está podrido.
The system is rotten.
This sentence describes a system as being rotten using sistema.
Tatoeba #1686566 by Shishir, translation #1669872 by Spamster
El sistema educativo
The education system
El sistema de gobierno tiene una estructura bien definida
The government system has a well-defined structure
El sistema de evaluación se basa en un método riguroso
The assessment system is based on a rigorous method
Su método para organizar su escritorio es un desorden total
His method to organize his desk is a total mess
149 more sentences on Tatoeba

Lucía and Daniel are discussing their company's software.

Lucía

Necesitamos actualizar el sistema hoy.
We need to update the system today.
Daniel

El sistema es muy lento ahora.
The system is very slow now.
Lucía

Entonces buscaremos un sistema nuevo.
Then we will look for a new system.
Daniel

Me parece una buena idea, Lucía.
That seems like a good idea, Lucía.

Sources

Wiktionary, “system” translations and entries sistema, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries sistema, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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