ciudadano
“ciudadano” means “citizen” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
citizenAlso: national, townsman
📝 In Action
Todo ciudadano mayor de edad puede votar.
A2Every adult citizen can vote.
Como ciudadano, tengo la obligación de pagar impuestos.
B1As a citizen, I have the obligation to pay taxes.
La policía buscaba al ciudadano que presenció el accidente.
B1The police were looking for the citizen who witnessed the accident.
Word Connections
civicAlso: citizen (adj.)
📝 In Action
Es importante promover la participación ciudadana.
B2It is important to promote civic participation.
La responsabilidad ciudadana incluye cuidar el medio ambiente.
B1Citizen responsibility includes taking care of the environment.
Word Connections
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ciudadano
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'ciudadana' as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
Comes from the Latin word *cīvitās*, meaning 'city' or 'state,' combined with the suffix *-anus*, which indicates belonging or origin. This literally means 'someone belonging to the city/state.'
First recorded: Medieval Spanish period (around 13th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'ciudadano' and 'habitante'?
A 'ciudadano' is someone who has the full legal rights and duties of membership in a country (like voting). An 'habitante' is simply someone who lives there, regardless of their legal status or nationality. All citizens are inhabitants, but not all inhabitants are citizens.
How do I form the feminine version of 'ciudadano'?
The feminine version is 'ciudadana'. This applies whether you are using it as a noun (the female citizen) or as an adjective (e.g., 'participación ciudadana').