A simplistic illustration of a grand governmental building with a central dome and classical columns, symbolizing state authority and ownership.

estatal

es-ta-TAL

adjectivem/fB1

state?as in 'state-owned' or 'relating to the government',governmental?relating to the governing body

Also:national?when referring to the nation's services,public?referring to services run by the government

📝 In Action

La televisión estatal transmite noticias las 24 horas.

State television broadcasts news 24 hours a day.

Necesitamos una política estatal para mejorar la sanidad.

We need a governmental policy to improve healthcare.

El presupuesto estatal se aprobó ayer en el congreso.

The national budget was approved yesterday in congress.

Word Connections

Synonyms

gubernamental (governmental)
nacional (national)
público (public)

Antonyms

privado (private)
municipal (municipal)

Common Collocations

sector estatal – state sector
empresa estatal – state-owned company
deuda estatal – national debt

💡 Grammar Points

Adjective Placement

Like most descriptive adjectives, 'estatal' usually goes after the noun it describes: 'el banco estatal' (the state bank).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing with 'Estado'

Mistake: "Usando 'Estado' como adjetivo (e.g., 'la educación estado')."

Correction: Use 'estatal' as the adjective form. 'La educación estatal' is correct. The word 'Estado' is the noun (the State/Nation).

⭐ Usage Tips

Gender is Invariable

'Estatal' is a special kind of adjective that ends in '-al,' meaning it always stays the same whether the noun is masculine or feminine: 'el presupuesto estatal' and 'la política estatal'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: estatal

Question 1 of 2

Which phrase correctly uses 'estatal'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

Estado(State, Nation, Government) - noun

estatismo(statism (belief in strong government control)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'estatal' and 'nacional'?

Both often translate to 'national,' but 'estatal' specifically emphasizes the connection to the *governing body* or government services (like a state bank). 'Nacional' is broader, simply meaning 'belonging to the nation' (like a national anthem).

Does 'estatal' refer to a US-style state (like California)?

Generally, no. In most Spanish-speaking contexts, 'estatal' refers to the *central* or *federal* government. To talk about internal regional divisions, you might use 'provincial' or 'regional,' though some countries that call their divisions 'Estados' may use 'estatal' regionally.