A simple illustration of an official parchment scroll, tightly rolled and tied with a red ribbon and gold seal, symbolizing codified laws and statutes.

leyes

LEY-yes

NounfA1

laws?official statutes

Also:rules?general principles or regulations,legislation?formal body of laws

📝 In Action

Debemos obedecer las leyes de tráfico.

We must obey the traffic laws.

El presidente firmó las nuevas leyes ambientales.

The president signed the new environmental legislation.

Las leyes de la física son universales.

The laws of physics are universal.

Word Connections

Synonyms

normas (norms, standards)
reglamentos (regulations)

Common Collocations

cumplir las leyes – to comply with the laws
romper las leyes – to break the laws
aprobar leyes – to pass laws

💡 Grammar Points

Feminine Plural

Remember that 'leyes' (laws) is always used with feminine plural words that describe it, like 'las leyes' (the laws) or 'leyes estrictas' (strict laws).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Gender Confusion

Mistake: "Los leyes"

Correction: Las leyes. Even though many words ending in '-es' are masculine, 'ley' (law) is feminine, so its plural form must also be feminine.

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal vs. Informal

Use 'leyes' when talking about official government statutes. Use 'reglas' (rules) for games, house rules, or informal guidelines.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: leyes

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'leyes'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

ley(law (singular)) - noun

legal(legal) - adjective

legislación(legislation) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'leyes' feminine, even though it ends in -es?

The word 'ley' (the singular form) is feminine, and this gender carries over to the plural form 'leyes.' This is a pattern you just need to memorize, similar to 'la llave' (the key).

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'leyes' y 'reglas'?

Both mean 'rules,' but 'leyes' refers to formal, governmental statutes (laws passed by a congress), while 'reglas' refers to general rules, like those for a game, a school, or a household.