gobierno
/go-BYEHR-no/
government
As an institution, gobierno refers to the administrative body or group (the government) that runs a country, often visualized as 'steering the ship of state'.
gobierno(Noun)
government
?the institution that runs a country
administration
?a specific group in power at a particular time
,cabinet
?the group of ministers
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine: 'el gobierno'
Even though it ends in '-o', which is usually a good sign for masculine words, it's helpful to just memorize that 'gobierno' is always masculine. You'll always say 'el gobierno' or 'un gobierno'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Gobierno' and 'Estado'
Mistake: "El estado anunció nuevas leyes."
Correction: El gobierno anunció nuevas leyes. 'Gobierno' refers to the people currently in charge (the administration), who make announcements. 'Estado' is the whole country and its permanent systems (courts, military, etc.).
⭐ Usage Tips
Singular for the Whole Group
Just like in English, you use the singular form 'el gobierno' to talk about the entire group of people and all the departments that run the country.
This meaning of gobierno refers to the act or manner of governing, or the control exercised over a system or territory (governance/rule).
gobierno(Noun)
governance
?the action or manner of governing
rule
?a period of control
,control
?management or direction
📝 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.
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking About *How* Someone Rules
Use this meaning when you're describing the style or period of someone's rule, like 'el gobierno de la reina' (the queen's rule/reign) or 'un gobierno de mano dura' (an iron-fisted 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
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.