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penal

peh-NAHL/peˈnal/

criminal

Also: penal
AdjectivemB2formal
A heavy metal gavel resting on a thick law book.

📝 In Action

El abogado se especializa en derecho penal.

B2

The lawyer specializes in criminal law.

El código penal establece las consecuencias de los delitos.

C1

The criminal code establishes the consequences of crimes.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • derecho penal – criminal law
  • código penal – criminal code
  • antecedentes penales – criminal record

penalty

NounmA2
Latin America
A soccer ball placed on a white dot on a green field with a goal in the background.

📝 In Action

Messi va a patear el penal.

A2

Messi is going to take the penalty kick.

El árbitro cobró un penal en el último minuto.

B1

The referee called a penalty in the last minute.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • penalti (penalty kick (common in Spain))

Common Collocations

  • tirar un penal – to take/shoot a penalty
  • atajar un penal – to save a penalty

prison

NounmB2formal
A stone building with small barred windows and a large metal gate.

📝 In Action

El recluso fue trasladado al penal de máxima seguridad.

B2

The inmate was transferred to the maximum-security prison.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cárcel (jail/prison)
  • prisión (prison)
  • penitenciaría (penitentiary)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "penal" in Spanish:

criminal→penal→penalty→prison→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: penal

Question 1 of 2

If a soccer commentator in Mexico screams '¡Penal!', what happened?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
pena(punishment / sorrow) — Noun
penalizar(to penalize) — Verb
penalidad(hardship / penalty) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'poenalis', which comes from 'poena' meaning 'punishment' or 'penalty'. It shares the same root as the English word 'pain'.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: penalFrench: pénal

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'penal' and 'penalti'?

They mean exactly the same thing in sports (a penalty kick). 'Penal' is used throughout Latin America, while 'penalti' is the preferred term in Spain.

Does 'penal' ever mean 'sad'?

No, but it's related to the word 'pena' (sorrow/shame). However, 'penal' only refers to legal punishment, prisons, or sports penalties.