gobierno
“gobierno” means “government” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
government
Also: administration, cabinet
📝 In Action
El gobierno anunció nuevas medidas económicas.
A2The government announced new economic measures.
Trabajo para el gobierno federal.
B1I work for the federal government.
El nuevo gobierno tomará posesión la próxima semana.
B1The new government (administration) will take office next week.
governance
Also: rule, control
📝 In Action
Su gobierno del país duró una década.
B2His rule over the country lasted a decade.
El buen gobierno es esencial para la prosperidad.
C1Good governance is essential for prosperity.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "gobierno" in Spanish:
administration→cabinet→control→governance→government→rule→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: gobierno
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'gobierno' to refer to the specific group of people currently in charge?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the verb 'gobernar', which traces back to the Latin word 'gubernāre', meaning 'to steer a ship'. This itself came from the Greek 'kybernáō' (κυβερνάω). So, you can think of a government as 'steering the ship of state'.
First recorded: Around the 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'gobierno' and 'estado'?
'Gobierno' refers to the specific group of people in power at a certain time (like an administration). 'Estado' is a broader concept, referring to the country itself and all its permanent institutions (like the courts, the military, and public services), regardless of who is currently in charge.
Can 'gobierno' be used for things other than countries?
Yes, but it's less common. You might hear 'el gobierno de la ciudad' for a city government, but more often people use 'ayuntamiento'. You could also talk about 'el gobierno de una empresa' (the governance/management of a company) in a more formal, business context.