canciller
“canciller” means “Chancellor” in Spanish (Head of government in countries like Germany or Austria).
Chancellor
Also: Foreign Minister
📝 In Action
Angela Merkel fue la primera mujer canciller de Alemania.
A2Angela Merkel was the first female chancellor of Germany.
El canciller de Colombia se reunió con el presidente.
B1The Colombian foreign minister met with the president.
La nueva canciller prometió mejorar las relaciones exteriores.
B2The new foreign minister promised to improve foreign relations.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: canciller
Question 1 of 3
If you are in Mexico and someone mentions the 'canciller', who are they likely talking about?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'cancellarius', which originally meant a person who stood at the 'cancelli' (the lattice or screen) of a court of law to separate the public from the judges.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 'canciller' the same as a President?
Not usually. In Germany and Austria, the Chancellor is the head of government (similar to a Prime Minister), while in Latin America, they are a minister who reports to the President.
Why does the word look so much like 'chancellor'?
Because they share the same Latin root! They are cognates, meaning they come from the same linguistic family tree.
Can I use 'canciller' for a low-level office worker?
No, 'canciller' is reserved for very high-ranking officials or specific diplomats. For a general office clerk, you would use 'oficinista' or 'administrativo'.