parlamento
/par-lah-MEN-toh/
parliament
Parlamento can refer to a parliament or a legislative government body.
📝 In Action
El parlamento votará sobre la nueva ley mañana.
B1The parliament will vote on the new law tomorrow.
Muchos ciudadanos se reunieron frente al parlamento.
B1Many citizens gathered in front of the parliament building.
💡 Grammar Points
Using Gender
This is a masculine noun. Always use masculine markers like 'el' (the) or 'un' (a), even if the people inside the parliament are men or women.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Parliament vs. Congress
Mistake: "Using 'parlamento' for every country."
Correction: Use 'parlamento' for countries with a parliamentary system (like Spain or the UK), but 'congreso' is more common for systems like the US or Mexico.
⭐ Usage Tips
Building or People?
Just like in English, this word can mean the physical building or the actual group of people who make the laws.
In the context of theater, parlamento refers to an actor's lines or speech.
📝 In Action
El actor olvidó su parlamento en el segundo acto.
C1The actor forgot his lines in the second act.
💡 Grammar Points
Theatrical Use
In this context, it refers to a specific piece of text that one character says without being interrupted.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't use for chatting
Mistake: "Saying 'mi parlamento con mi amigo'."
Correction: Use 'plática' or 'conversación' for everyday talks. 'Parlamento' is for formal or staged speeches.
⭐ Usage Tips
Think of 'Parley'
If you remember that 'parlar' means 'to talk,' it makes sense that a 'parlamento' is a chunk of talking in a play.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: parlamento
Question 1 of 2
If an actor is practicing his 'parlamento', what is he doing?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'parlamento' always refer to the building?
No, it usually refers to the institution or the group of people who make the laws, though it can also be used to refer to the physical building where they meet.
Is 'parlamento' the same as 'gobierno'?
Not exactly. The 'parlamento' is the group that makes laws, while the 'gobierno' usually refers to the leaders (like the President or Prime Minister) who carry out those laws.