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querella

keh-REH-yah/keˈɾeʝa/

“querella” means “formal complaint” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

formal complaint

Also: lawsuit, charge
NounfB2formal
A formal document with a red wax seal lying on a dark wooden table in a courtroom.

📝 In Action

El abogado presentó una querella criminal contra la empresa.

B2

The lawyer filed a formal criminal complaint against the company.

La querella fue admitida a trámite por el juez.

C1

The formal complaint was accepted for processing by the judge.

Decidieron retirar la querella tras llegar a un acuerdo.

B2

They decided to withdraw the lawsuit after reaching an agreement.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • desistimiento (withdrawal (of a claim))

Common Collocations

  • presentar una querella – to file a formal complaint
  • interponer una querella – to lodge a legal charge
  • querella criminal – criminal complaint

quarrel

Also: feud, discord
NounfC1literary
Two neighbors arguing over a wooden fence in a backyard.

📝 In Action

Las viejas querellas entre las dos familias duraron décadas.

C1

The old feuds between the two families lasted for decades.

No quiero participar en vuestras querellas domésticas.

C1

I don't want to take part in your domestic quarrels.

El poema habla de las querellas del corazón.

C2

The poem speaks of the laments (sorrows) of the heart.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • concordia (harmony)
  • paz (peace)

Common Collocations

  • querellas intestinas – internal feuds

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "querella" in Spanish:

charge→discord→feud→formal complaint→lawsuit→quarrel→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: querella

Question 1 of 3

If you hear about a 'querella criminal' on the news, what is happening?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
querellarse(to file a lawsuit/to complain) — Verb
querellante(plaintiff/complainant) — Noun
querellado(defendant (in a querella case)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'querēla', which meant a complaint, lament, or crying. This same root gave us the English word 'quarrel'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: quarrelFrench: querelleItalian: querela

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'querella' the same as 'demanda'?

Not exactly. While both are legal actions, a 'querella' is usually used in criminal law (where someone might go to jail), whereas a 'demanda' is typically used in civil law (usually about money or contracts).

Can I use 'querella' to describe a fight with my friend?

Only if you want to sound very dramatic or poetic. In normal conversation, it would sound strange. Use 'pelea' or 'discusión' instead.

Does 'querella' have a masculine form?

No, it is a feminine noun. Even if the person filing it is a man, the word is always 'la querella'.