Inklingo

How to Say "civic" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ciudadano

thiu-da-DHAH-noh (Spain) / siu-da-DHAH-noh (Latin America)/θjuðaˈðano/ (Spain) / /sjuðaˈðano/ (Latin America)

adjectiveB1general
Use 'ciudadano' when referring to the rights, duties, or responsibilities associated with being a member of a city or country, emphasizing active participation.
A person happily planting a small tree in a designated public park area, showing community responsibility.

Examples

Es importante promover la participación ciudadana.

It is important to promote civic participation.

La responsabilidad ciudadana incluye cuidar el medio ambiente.

Citizen responsibility includes taking care of the environment.

Adjective Agreement

When used as an adjective, 'ciudadano' must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. For example, 'responsabilidad ciudadana' (feminine singular) or 'deberes ciudadanos' (masculine plural).

civil

/see-VEEL//θiˈβil/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'civil' when the context relates to a city, citizenship in a general sense, or in contrast to military or religious matters, such as in 'civil war'.
A group of diverse citizens walking and interacting peacefully on a town square sidewalk.

Examples

La guerra civil dividió al país en dos bandos.

The civil war divided the country into two sides.

Todos los empleados son civiles, no hay personal militar.

All the employees are civilian, there is no military staff.

La sociedad civil pidió más transparencia al gobierno.

Civil society asked the government for more transparency.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'civil' ends in -l, it is the same for both masculine and feminine nouns (e.g., 'el código civil' and 'la guerra civil'). It only changes form for plural: 'civiles'.

Confusing 'Civil' and 'Civic'

Mistake: “Using 'cívico' when referring to non-military life.”

Correction: Use 'civil' for non-military/general citizenry matters. 'Cívico' is usually reserved for duties or behavior related to being a good citizen (e.g., 'deber cívico' - civic duty).

Ciudadano vs. Civil

Learners often confuse 'ciudadano' and 'civil'. Remember that 'ciudadano' focuses on the active rights and responsibilities of a citizen, like participation, while 'civil' is broader, referring to a city, citizenship in general, or non-military matters.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.