Inklingo

How to Say "elected" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “elected” is “elegido” — use 'elegido' when referring to something or someone that has been selected or chosen, often for a specific role or purpose, not necessarily a political one. It's a general term for 'chosen'..

English → Spanish

elegido

/eh-leh-HEE-doh//eleˈxido/

AdjectiveA2political/official selection
Use 'elegido' when referring to something or someone that has been selected or chosen, often for a specific role or purpose, not necessarily a political one. It's a general term for 'chosen'.
A spotlight shines intensely on one red apple placed on a small pedestal, indicating it has been selected from a group of shadowed apples.

Examples

El color elegido para la pintura es el azul claro.

The chosen color for the paint is light blue.

El nuevo presidente elegido tomará posesión mañana.

The new elected president will take office tomorrow.

Making it Match

As an adjective, 'elegido' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. If the thing is feminine, use 'elegida'; if it is plural, use 'elegidos' or 'elegidas'.

Forgetting Gender Agreement

Mistake: “La opción elegido.”

Correction: La opción elegida. (The word 'opción' is feminine, so the adjective must also be feminine.)

electo

/eh-LEK-toh//eˈlekto/

AdjectiveB1chosen by vote
Use 'electo' specifically for someone who has won a vote or election and is designated to take an office, often implying they haven't officially started yet (e.g., president-elect).
A person standing proudly next to a podium, wearing a sash that signifies their new role, looking towards a bright future.

Examples

El presidente electo dará su primer discurso esta noche.

The president-elect will give his first speech tonight.

Ella es la primera mujer electa para este cargo en la ciudad.

She is the first woman elected to this position in the city.

Los representantes electos deben representar la voluntad del pueblo.

The elected representatives must represent the will of the people.

The 'Electo' vs. 'Elegido' Rule

Spanish has two words for 'elected.' Use 'electo' only as a description (the president elect). Use 'elegido' when talking about the action (they have elected the president).

Gender and Number Match

Since this is a description word, it must match the person. Use 'electo' for a man, 'electa' for a woman, and 'electos' or 'electas' for groups.

Don't use with 'Haber'

Mistake: “Hemos electo un nuevo jefe.”

Correction: Hemos elegido un nuevo jefe. (Use 'elegido' when following 'have' or 'has' to describe an action that happened).

eligió

VerbB1for a public or official position
Use 'eligió' when you are describing the action of a group or entity (like a nation, a committee, or voters) choosing someone or something through a selection process, typically in the past tense.

Examples

La nación eligió un nuevo presidente el año pasado.

The nation elected a new president last year.

Adjective vs. Verb Confusion

Learners often confuse 'elegido'/'electo' (adjectives describing someone chosen) with 'eligió' (the verb form meaning 'he/she/it chose'). Remember that 'elegido' and 'electo' describe the state of being chosen, while 'eligió' describes the action of choosing.

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