pleito
“pleito” means “lawsuit” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
lawsuit
Also: legal case, litigation
📝 In Action
El abogado logró ganar el pleito después de dos años.
B1The lawyer managed to win the lawsuit after two years.
Tienen un pleito pendiente por la herencia familiar.
B2They have a pending legal case regarding the family inheritance.
No quiero meterme en pleitos legales.
B1I don't want to get involved in legal battles.
fight
Also: quarrel, row
📝 In Action
Ellos siempre tienen un pleito por la limpieza de la casa.
A2They always have a fight about cleaning the house.
No busques pleito con los vecinos.
B1Don't look for trouble/fights with the neighbors.
Se armó un pleito enorme en la fiesta.
B1A huge fight broke out at the party.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: pleito
Question 1 of 3
If someone says 'Juan siempre busca pleito,' what are they saying about Juan?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'placitum', which originally meant 'something pleasant' or 'an agreed-upon decision.' Over time, it shifted to mean a formal agreement in a court of law, and eventually, the dispute itself.
First recorded: 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'pleito' more common than 'pelea'?
'Pelea' is more common for a physical fight or a short, sharp argument. 'Pleito' is better for a long-standing dispute or a legal case.
Can 'pleito' be a verb?
No, 'pleito' is only a noun. To express the action of arguing or litigating, you use the verb 'pleitear'.
Does 'pleito' always involve lawyers?
Not necessarily. While it is the main word for a lawsuit, it is also used colloquially to mean a 'row' or a heated argument between friends or family.