Inklingo
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tribunales

/tree-boo-NAH-less/

courts

A wooden gavel resting on a sound block on a judge's bench in a courtroom.

Tribunales often refers to the judicial courts of the legal system.

tribunales(noun)

mB1

courts

?

The judicial system or legal institutions

Also:

law courts

?

The specific buildings or entities where trials happen

📝 In Action

El caso llegará a los tribunales el próximo mes.

B1

The case will reach the courts next month.

Los tribunales de justicia deben ser imparciales.

B2

The courts of justice must be impartial.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • juzgados (courtrooms/courts)
  • cortes (courts)

Common Collocations

  • ante los tribunales – before the courts
  • justicia de los tribunales – justice of the courts

💡 Grammar Points

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in 'es', it's a masculine word. Always use 'los' before 'tribunales'.

Plural Use

While 'tribunal' means a single court, we often use the plural 'tribunales' to talk about the entire legal system or the justice process in general.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Tribunales vs. Tribunas

Mistake: "Using 'tribunales' to refer to stadium seating."

Correction: Use 'tribunas' for the stands in a stadium; 'tribunales' is strictly for legal or judging contexts.

⭐ Usage Tips

Legal Contexts

If you hear someone say they are 'yendo a los tribunales,' they usually mean they have a legal appointment or a trial.

Three people sitting behind a long table, acting as a panel of judges.

Tribunales can also mean a panel of judges for a competition or an academic exam.

tribunales(noun)

mB2

panels

?

A group of people judging a competition or exam

Also:

examination boards

?

The group of officials who grade professional exams

📝 In Action

Los tribunales de las oposiciones son muy estrictos.

C1

The panels for the civil service exams are very strict.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • jurado (jury/panel)
  • comisión (commission/committee)

Common Collocations

  • tribunal de examen – examination board

💡 Grammar Points

Group Meaning

In this context, it refers to the people themselves (the judges), not the building.

⭐ Usage Tips

Academic Setting

In Spain, if you are taking a high-level exam for a government job, you will face a 'tribunal'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: tribunales

Question 1 of 2

If a lawyer says 'Mañana tengo tribunales', what do they mean?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

tribunal(court/panel) - noun
tribu(tribe) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'tribunales' the same as 'corte'?

Yes, they are often used interchangeably, but 'tribunales' is more common in Spain for the general court system, while 'Corte' is often used for high-level institutions like the Supreme Court (Corte Suprema).

Can I use 'tribunales' for a jury in a movie?

Not exactly. A jury is 'el jurado'. 'Los tribunales' refers to the whole institution or the group of professional judges.