Inklingo

ciudadanía

syoo-dah-dah-NEE-ah/sjuðaðaˈni.a/

ciudadanía means citizenship in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

citizenship

Also: nationality
NounfB1
A shiny gold seal on a formal blue document with a red ribbon.

📝 In Action

Después de vivir diez años en México, obtuvo la ciudadanía.

B1

After living in Mexico for ten years, he obtained citizenship.

Mi abuelo tiene doble ciudadanía: italiana y argentina.

A2

My grandfather has dual citizenship: Italian and Argentine.

El examen para la ciudadanía no es muy difícil.

B1

The citizenship exam is not very difficult.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • extranjería (foreign status)

Common Collocations

  • solicitar la ciudadaníato apply for citizenship
  • doble ciudadaníadual citizenship
  • ciudadanía por nacimientocitizenship by birth

citizenry

Also: the public
NounfB2formal
A diverse group of people standing together in a friendly circle.

📝 In Action

La ciudadanía exige más seguridad en las calles.

B2

The citizenry demands more security in the streets.

Es un mensaje dirigido a toda la ciudadanía.

B1

It is a message addressed to all citizens.

La participación de la ciudadanía es vital para la democracia.

C1

Citizen participation is vital for democracy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • participación ciudadanacitizen participation
  • concienciar a la ciudadaníato make the public aware

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ciudadanía" in Spanish:

citizenry

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ciudadanía

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'to apply for citizenship' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
ciudad(city)Noun
ciudadano(citizen)Noun
ciudadanizar(to naturalize/make a citizen)Verb
🎵 Rhymes
guíadíaalegría
📚 Etymology

From the Spanish word 'ciudad' (city), which comes from the Latin 'civitas,' meaning a body of citizens or a state.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: cidadaniaItalian: cittadinanzaFrench: citoyenneté

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between 'ciudadanía' and 'nacionalidad'?

Technically, yes. 'Nacionalidad' is the country you belong to (by birth or origin), while 'ciudadanía' is the legal status that gives you the right to vote and participate in politics. However, in daily life, people often use them as the same thing.

Can I use 'ciudadanía' to talk about a city?

No. Use 'ciudad' for the place. 'Ciudadanía' refers only to the status of being a citizen or the group of people who live there.

How do I pronounce the double 'd'?

The first 'd' is very soft, almost like a 'th' in 'this'. The second 'd' is the same. It is a very smooth, flowing sound, not a hard 'd' like in 'dog'.