política
/poh-LEE-tee-kah/
politics
The word política can refer to 'politics' or the activities of government.
política(noun)
politics
?the activities of government
political science
?academic field
,statesmanship
?skill in leading government
📝 In Action
La política afecta la vida de todos los ciudadanos.
A2Politics affects the lives of all citizens.
Estudió política en la universidad porque quiere ser diplomático.
B1She studied political science at the university because she wants to be a diplomat.
Siempre evito hablar de política en la cena.
A2I always avoid talking about politics at dinner.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Even though this concept sounds vast or general, 'política' is always a feminine noun, so you use 'la' or 'una' before it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up the Field and the Person
Mistake: "Using 'política' when referring to a male politician (e.g., 'El política es honesto')."
Correction: Use 'el político' for a male politician, 'la política' for a female politician OR the general field of study.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Big Picture
Think of this meaning as the overall system of rules, power, and government activity in a country.
Política can also mean 'policy,' referring to a specific rule or course of action.
política(noun)
policy
?a specific rule or course of action
strategy
?a long-term plan
,approach
?a specific method
📝 In Action
La compañía tiene una política de no fumar dentro de la oficina.
B1The company has a policy of not smoking inside the office.
Vamos a revisar la política de devoluciones antes de comprar esto.
B1We are going to check the returns policy before buying this.
El gobierno implementó una nueva política social para ayudar a las familias pobres.
B2The government implemented a new social policy to help poor families.
💡 Grammar Points
Singular vs. Plural
When talking about specific rules, you can use the plural: 'las políticas de la empresa' (the company policies). The singular 'la política' usually refers to a single rule.
⭐ Usage Tips
Understanding Context
If you see 'una política' or 'la política de...' followed by a specific topic (like 'de salud' or 'de seguridad'), it almost always means 'a rule' or 'a specific plan,' not the general field of politics.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: política
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'política' to mean a specific rule, not the general field of government?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Es 'política' lo mismo que 'policía'?
No, they are different! 'La política' means the system of government or a rule/policy. 'La policía' means the police force or a female police officer. They sound similar because they both deal with public order, but they are not interchangeable.
If I want to talk about a female politician, should I use 'político' or 'política'?
You should use 'la política' (feminine article 'la' and the feminine noun ending 'a'). For a male politician, use 'el político'.