poli

POH-lee

nounm/fA2

cop?police officer (informal),police?the institution/force (colloquial)

Also:police officer?shortened form

📝 In Action

¡Cuidado! Hay un poli en la esquina vigilando la velocidad.

Careful! There's a cop on the corner watching the speed.

Llamamos al poli después del accidente, pero tardaron en llegar.

We called the police after the accident, but they were late arriving.

Mi primo quiere ser poli cuando termine sus estudios.

My cousin wants to be a police officer when he finishes his studies.

Word Connections

Synonyms

policía (police officer/police)
agente (agent/officer)

Common Collocations

el poli de tráfico – traffic cop
llamar al poli – to call the police (informal)

💡 Grammar Points

Shortened Noun

This word is a 'clipping' of policía. It functions just like the full word but is used only in casual settings.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Formality Mismatch

Mistake: "Usando 'poli' en un informe oficial."

Correction: Use *policía* or *agente* in formal writing or professional contexts, as *poli* is too casual.

⭐ Usage Tips

Gender Note

Even though la policía (the institution) is feminine, when referring to a male officer, you use el poli (masculine article).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: poli

Question 1 of 2

If someone says 'Mi hermano está en el Poli,' what is the most likely meaning of 'Poli' in this context?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

policía(police / police officer) - noun

politécnico(polytechnic) - adjective/noun

policial(police (adj.)) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'poli' rude or disrespectful when talking about the police?

'Poli' is generally seen as informal and casual, similar to 'cop' in English. While it's not overtly rude, it should be avoided in formal settings or when addressing an officer directly, where *agente* or *policía* is more appropriate.

How do I know if 'poli' means 'police' or 'polytechnic'?

Context is everything! If the sentence involves traffic, crimes, or safety, it means police. If it involves studying, degrees, or campuses, it means polytechnic. The gender of the article (*la poli* vs *el poli*) sometimes helps, but often the context makes it clear.