A large, majestic government building (the central authority) situated in the middle, with three smaller, identical buildings (regional entities) surrounding it. Pathways clearly connect the smaller buildings directly to the central one.

federal

feh-deh-RAHL

adjectivem/fB2

federal?relating to a central government

Also:governmental?relating to the overall structure of a nation

📝 In Action

La policía federal intervino en el aeropuerto.

The federal police intervened at the airport.

Necesitamos una ley federal para regular este asunto en todos los estados.

We need a federal law to regulate this issue in all the states.

El gobierno federal ha prometido más ayuda a las provincias.

The federal government has promised more aid to the provinces.

Word Connections

Synonyms

nacional (national)
central (central)

Antonyms

estatal (state/provincial)
local (local)

Common Collocations

gobierno federal – federal government
agencia federal – federal agency
distrito federal – federal district (often capital city area)

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Invariable Adjective

Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'federal' does not change its ending based on whether the noun is masculine or feminine. You use 'federal' for both: 'el gobierno federal' and 'la ley federal'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Pronouncing the 'R'

Mistake: "Pronouncing the single 'r' in 'federal' like a strong rolled 'rr' sound."

Correction: The single 'r' in the middle of a word like this is a soft 'r' (a quick tap of the tongue), not a rolled 'rr' sound.

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

Use 'federal' when you specifically want to distinguish the central government's authority from that of a regional (state or provincial) government. If you just mean 'of the country,' 'nacional' works too, but 'federal' highlights the system structure.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: federal

Question 1 of 2

Which phrase correctly uses 'federal'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

federalismo(federalism) - noun

federalista(federalist) - noun/adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'federal' y 'nacional'?

Both refer to the whole country, but 'federal' emphasizes the *structure* of the government—how power is shared between the center and the regions. 'Nacional' is a broader term meaning 'belonging to the nation' without focusing on that specific structure.