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legislativo

le-his-la-TEE-bo/lexislaˈtiβo/

“legislativo” means “legislative” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

legislative

Also: law-making
AdjectivemB1formal
General
A wooden gavel resting on a thick hardcover book.

📝 In Action

El proceso legislativo es bastante lento en este país.

A2

The legislative process is quite slow in this country.

Necesitamos un nuevo marco legislativo para proteger el medio ambiente.

B1

We need a new legislative framework to protect the environment.

La asamblea tiene la función legislativa del estado.

C1

The assembly has the state's legislative function.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • poder legislativo – legislative power/branch
  • proceso legislativo – legislative process
  • marco legislativo – legislative framework

Idioms & Expressions

  • vacío legislativo – a situation where no law exists to cover a specific problem

legislature

Also: legislative branch
NounmB2formal
Latin America
A group of diverse people sitting in a semi-circle of desks, appearing to discuss and vote.

📝 In Action

El legislativo votará la nueva ley mañana por la mañana.

B1

The legislature will vote on the new law tomorrow morning.

Existe una gran tensión entre el ejecutivo y el legislativo.

B2

There is great tension between the executive and the legislative branches.

El legislativo rechazó la propuesta del presidente por unanimidad.

C1

The legislature unanimously rejected the president's proposal.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • control del legislativo – control of the legislature
  • miembros del legislativo – members of the legislature

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "legislativo" in Spanish:

law-making→legislative→legislative branch→legislature→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: legislativo

Question 1 of 3

If you are describing a 'reforma' (feminine), which form should you use?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
legislar(to legislate/make laws) — Verb
legislación(legislation) — Noun
legislador(legislator) — Noun
legislatura(legislature/term) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'legislativus', derived from 'lex' (law) and 'lator' (someone who brings or proposes). Literally, it means 'someone who brings laws'.

First recorded: 18th century (standardized in modern political context)

Cognates (Related words)

English: legislativeFrench: législatifItalian: legislativo

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'legislativo' and 'legal'?

'Legal' is a broad word meaning anything related to the law. 'Legislativo' is specific to the branch of government or the process of creating those laws.

Is 'legislativo' a common word?

It is very common in formal writing, news reports, and education, but rarely used in basic everyday conversations.

Does 'legislativo' ever change for plural nouns?

Yes! If you describe plural things, it becomes 'legislativos' or 'legislativas' (e.g., 'procesos legislativos').