autoridades
“autoridades” means “authorities” in Spanish (people in power; government officials).
authorities
Also: officials, powers that be
📝 In Action
Las autoridades escolares cancelaron la clase por la nieve.
A2The school authorities canceled class because of the snow.
Debemos seguir las instrucciones de las autoridades sanitarias.
B1We must follow the instructions of the health authorities.
Si ves algo sospechoso, llama inmediatamente a las autoridades.
B2If you see something suspicious, call the authorities immediately.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: autoridades
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'autoridades'?
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👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
It comes from the Latin word *auctoritas*, which meant 'mastery,' 'power,' or 'influence.' The meaning evolved in Spanish to specifically refer to those who hold official power to command.
First recorded: Medieval Latin period
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'autoridades' always refer to the police or government?
No, while it often refers to government or police, it can also mean any group of people with official power in a specific context, such as school administrators ('autoridades escolares') or health officials ('autoridades sanitarias').
Why is it usually plural, even when talking about one group?
In Spanish, the concept of the governing body or institution is usually treated as a collective noun in the plural form ('the authorities') rather than the singular abstract concept ('the authority').