Inklingo

How to Say "lawmaker" in Spanish

English → Spanish

legislador

/le-hees-lah-DOR//lexislaˈðoɾ/

nounB2formal
Use 'legislador' when you want to emphasize the person's role in actively creating, debating, or changing laws.
A person in a professional suit standing at a wooden podium, holding a quill pen and a thick document.

Examples

El legislador presentó un nuevo proyecto de ley sobre el medio ambiente.

The lawmaker introduced a new bill regarding the environment.

Muchos legisladores no están de acuerdo con los cambios propuestos.

Many legislators do not agree with the proposed changes.

Como legislador, él tiene la responsabilidad de escuchar a los ciudadanos.

As a legislator, he has the responsibility to listen to the citizens.

Using job titles without 'un'

When you say someone IS a lawmaker (using the verb 'ser'), you don't need to use 'un' or 'una'. For example, say 'Él es legislador' instead of 'Él es un legislador'.

Plural forms

Because the word ends in a consonant (r), you simply add '-es' to make it plural: 'los legisladores'.

Don't confuse with 'abogado'

Mistake: “Él es un legislador y me ayudó con mi juicio.”

Correction: Él es un abogado y me ayudó con mi juicio. A 'legislador' makes the laws, but an 'abogado' (lawyer) helps you in court.

parlamentario

/par-la-men-TAH-ryoh//paɾlamenˈtaɾjo/

nounB1formal
Use 'parlamentario' as a more general term for any member of a parliament or legislative body, regardless of their specific involvement in drafting laws.
A person standing at a wooden podium, wearing a formal suit and gesturing with one hand as if speaking to an audience.

Examples

El parlamentario propuso una nueva ley sobre el medio ambiente.

The Member of Parliament proposed a new law about the environment.

Varios parlamentarios europeos visitaron la ciudad.

Several European parliamentarians visited the city.

Es difícil ser parlamentario con tanta presión mediática.

It is difficult to be a lawmaker with so much media pressure.

Changing for Gender

Even though we are looking at the word ending in -o, if the person is a woman, you must change it to 'parlamentaria'.

Plural Form

To talk about a group of lawmakers, simply add an 's' to make it 'parlamentarios'.

Confusing the Person with the Place

Mistake: “Voy a visitar el parlamentario.”

Correction: Voy a visitar el parlamento.

Legislador vs. Parlamentario

Learners often use 'parlamentario' when they mean someone specifically involved in drafting laws. Remember that 'legislador' is the more precise term for the actual *act* of making laws, while 'parlamentario' is a broader title for a government representative.

Related Translations

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