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ordenanza

or-deh-NAN-thah/ordeˈnanθa/

“ordenanza” means “ordinance” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

ordinance

Also: regulation, statute
NounfB2formal
A wooden gavel resting on a round base on a wooden table.

📝 In Action

El ayuntamiento aprobó una nueva ordenanza de ruidos.

B2

The city council approved a new noise ordinance.

Según la ordenanza municipal, no se puede aparcar aquí.

B1

According to the local regulation, you cannot park here.

Debemos cumplir con las ordenanzas de limpieza de la ciudad.

C1

We must comply with the city's cleaning statutes.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • anarquía (anarchy)

Common Collocations

  • ordenanza municipal – city ordinance
  • incumplir una ordenanza – to break a regulation
  • ordenanza fiscal – tax regulation

attendant

Also: orderly, messenger
Nounm or fB1
Spain
A friendly office assistant carrying a stack of papers and a tray with a glass of water.

📝 In Action

El ordenanza me indicó dónde estaba el despacho del director.

B1

The attendant showed me where the director's office was.

Ella trabaja como ordenanza en el palacio de justicia.

B2

She works as an office assistant in the courthouse.

Los ordenanzas se encargan de repartir el correo interno.

C1

The messengers are in charge of distributing the internal mail.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • plaza de ordenanza – attendant job position
  • ordenanza de guardia – orderly on duty

Idioms & Expressions

  • de ordenanza – standard issue or exactly according to rules

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ordenanza" in Spanish:

attendant→messenger→orderly→ordinance→regulation→statute→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ordenanza

Question 1 of 3

If you see a sign at city hall about a 'nueva ordenanza', what is it referring to?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish verb 'ordenar' (to put in order), which comes from the Latin 'ordinare'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: ordonnanceEnglish: ordinance

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'ordenanza' the same as 'orden'?

No. 'Orden' can mean 'command' or 'tidiness'. 'Ordenanza' is specifically a law or a person working as an assistant.

Is an 'ordenanza' the same as a 'conserje'?

Very similar! A 'conserje' (janitor/concierge) usually looks after a building, while an 'ordenanza' usually assists with documents and internal tasks inside an office.

Does 'ordenanza' mean 'ordnance' (weapons) in military terms?

Not exactly. In English, 'ordnance' refers to weapons. In Spanish, 'ordenanza' refers to military *regulations* or a soldier acting as an orderly.