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decreto

deh-KREH-toh/deˈkɾeto/

decree

Also: executive order, edict
NounmB1formal
A rolled parchment scroll with a large red wax seal resting on a wooden table.

📝 In Action

El presidente firmó un decreto para ayudar a los desempleados.

B1

The president signed a decree to help the unemployed.

Por decreto real, el día de hoy será festivo.

B2

By royal decree, today will be a holiday.

El nuevo decreto entrará en vigor el próximo lunes.

C1

The new executive order will take effect next Monday.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • decreto ley – decree-law
  • por decreto – by decree
  • firmar un decreto – to sign a decree

I decree

Also: I mandate
VerbB2regular arformal
A person in a formal robe holding a wooden gavel up in the air.
gerunddecretando
past Participledecretado
infinitivedecretar

📝 In Action

Como director, decreto que las reuniones serán más cortas.

B2

As director, I decree that the meetings will be shorter.

Yo decreto que hoy es un día para celebrar.

B1

I decree that today is a day to celebrate.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ordeno (I order)
  • dictamino (I rule)

Antonyms

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdecretaran
yodecretara
túdecretaras
vosotrosdecretarais
nosotrosdecretáramos
él/ella/usteddecretara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdecreten
yodecrete
túdecretes
vosotrosdecretéis
nosotrosdecretemos
él/ella/usteddecrete

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesdecretaron
yodecreté
túdecretaste
vosotrosdecretasteis
nosotrosdecretamos
él/ella/usteddecretó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdecretaban
yodecretaba
túdecretabas
vosotrosdecretabais
nosotrosdecretábamos
él/ella/usteddecretaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdecretan
yodecreto
túdecretas
vosotrosdecretáis
nosotrosdecretamos
él/ella/usteddecreta
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "decreto" in Spanish:

decree→edict→executive order→i decree→i mandate→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: decreto

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the correct way to say 'by decree'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
decretar(to decree) — Verb
decretal(pertaining to a decree) — Adjective
decretista(one who favors governing by decree) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'decretum', which describes something that has been decided or judged. It comes from the verb 'decernere', meaning to decide or separate.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: decreeFrench: décretItalian: decreto

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'decreto' mean 'secret'?

No, although they sound similar and share Latin roots, 'decreto' means an official order. 'Secreto' means secret.

Can I use 'decreto' to describe a personal rule?

Only metaphorically! If you say 'Decreto que no hay tarea hoy,' you are acting like a mini-dictator or a president for a joke.

What is a 'decreto ley'?

It is a special type of law that a government can pass quickly in an emergency without waiting for the full parliament to vote first.