How to Say "official" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “official” is “oficial” — use 'oficial' for something that is authorized, recognized, or formally declared by an authority.
oficial
o-fee-SYALo.fiˈsjal
Examples
El comunicado oficial será publicado mañana.
The official announcement will be published tomorrow.
Necesitas una traducción oficial del documento.
You need an official translation of the document.
La versión oficial de los hechos es diferente.
The official version of the events is different.
Un oficial de policía me pidió la documentación.
A police officer asked me for my documents.
One Form for Masculine & Feminine
'Oficial' is a handy adjective because it doesn't change for masculine or feminine things. You say 'el comunicado oficial' (masculine) and 'la versión oficial' (feminine). It only changes for plural things: 'los documentos oficiales'.
Talking About Women
To talk about a female officer or official, you can often just use 'la oficial'. For example, 'La oficial me ayudó'. The feminine form 'oficiala' exists but is much less common.
Forgetting the '-es' for Plural
Mistake: “Los documentos oficial son importantes.”
Correction: Los documentos oficiales son importantes. Because 'documentos' is plural, 'oficial' needs to become 'oficiales' to match.
autorizado
ow-toh-ree-SAH-dohau.to.riˈsa.do
Examples
Solo el personal autorizado puede entrar en esta zona.
Only authorized personnel can enter this area.
Esta es la versión autorizada del libro.
This is the official (authorized) version of the book.
Necesitas un permiso autorizado para construir aquí.
You need an authorized permit to build here.
Matching the Noun
As an adjective, 'autorizado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. If the noun is feminine (like 'entrada'), you must say 'autorizada'.
Forgetting Gender/Number
Mistake: “La entrada es autorizado.”
Correction: La entrada es autorizada. (The feminine noun 'entrada' requires the feminine ending '-a'.)
oficiales
oh-fee-see-AH-lessofiˈsjales
Examples
Las cifras oficiales de ventas se publicarán mañana.
The official sales figures will be published tomorrow.
Tuvimos que seguir las reglas oficiales del concurso.
We had to follow the official rules of the competition.
Los idiomas oficiales de Canadá son el inglés y el francés.
The official languages of Canada are English and French.
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'oficiales' is plural and must match the plural noun it describes. It works for both masculine nouns (documentos oficiales) and feminine nouns (reglas oficiales).
Using the singular form
Mistake: “Los datos oficial son incorrectos.”
Correction: Los datos oficiales son incorrectos. (The plural ending is needed because 'datos' is plural.)
árbitro
Examples
El árbitro pitó el final del partido.
The referee blew the whistle for the end of the match.
formal
for-MAHLfoɾˈmal
Examples
Para la boda, es obligatorio llevar ropa formal.
For the wedding, it is mandatory to wear formal clothes.
Necesitas enviar una solicitud formal al departamento.
You need to send an official application to the department.
La reunión fue muy formal, todos se trataron de usted.
The meeting was very formal; everyone addressed each other using 'usted' (the polite form).
Adjective Agreement
Since 'formal' ends in 'l,' it only changes to match the number (singular or plural) of the noun it describes: 'un evento formal' (one formal event) and 'varios eventos formales' (several formal events).
autoridad
au-to-ri-DADaw.to.ɾiˈðað
Examples
Llamamos a las autoridades después del accidente.
We called the authorities (the police/officials) after the accident.
Ella es considerada una autoridad mundial en física cuántica.
She is considered a world authority/expert on quantum physics.
La autoridad municipal decidió cerrar el parque.
The municipal authority (the city officials) decided to close the park.
Singular vs. Plural
When talking about the police or government officials, Spanish often uses the plural form: 'las autoridades' (the authorities). However, when referring to one expert, the singular 'una autoridad' is correct.
Using 'autoridad' to mean 'the police'
Mistake: “Llamamos la policía (Correct, but less formal).”
Correction: Llamamos a las autoridades (More formal and encompassing). Use 'las autoridades' when referring to the official bodies collectively.
dirigente
dee-ree-hen-tehdiɾiˈxente
Examples
La dirigente del sindicato convocó a una reunión.
The union leader called a meeting.
Los dirigentes del club están contentos con los resultados.
The club officials are happy with the results.
Es un joven dirigente con mucho futuro en la política.
He is a young leader with a great future in politics.
One ending for everyone
This word doesn't change its ending to 'a' for women. You simply change the 'el' to 'la' (el dirigente vs. la dirigente).
The '-nte' pattern
The ending '-nte' in Spanish is like adding '-er' in English. It describes the person doing the action (the one who directs).
Avoid 'dirigenta'
Mistake: “La dirigenta del grupo.”
Correction: La dirigente del grupo. While 'dirigenta' exists in some very informal regional speech, 'la dirigente' is the standard and most accepted form.
gubernamental
goo-ber-nah-men-tahlɡuβeɾnamenˈtal
Examples
La oficina gubernamental abre a las ocho.
The government office opens at eight.
Necesitamos más transparencia gubernamental en el país.
We need more government transparency in the country.
El plan gubernamental busca reducir el desempleo este año.
The government plan seeks to reduce unemployment this year.
One Ending for All
This word ends in -l, which means it stays the same regardless of whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine. You can say 'el plan gubernamental' or 'la oficina gubernamental'.
Word Order
In English, we say 'government agency' (noun + noun). In Spanish, you must use the adjective and place it after the noun: 'agencia gubernamental'.
Using the Noun as a Description
Mistake: “El gobierno edificio.”
Correction: El edificio gubernamental (or 'del gobierno'). You cannot use the noun 'gobierno' to describe another noun directly like in English.
institucional
een-stee-too-syoh-NAHLinstityθjoˈnal
Examples
El presidente dio un discurso institucional muy serio.
The president gave a very serious official speech.
Necesitamos mejorar la imagen institucional de la empresa.
We need to improve the corporate image of the company.
Es importante respetar los canales institucionales para resolver el conflicto.
It is important to respect the institutional channels to resolve the conflict.
One form for everyone
This word doesn't change its ending for boys or girls. You can say 'el mensaje institucional' (masculine) and 'la ayuda institucional' (feminine).
Placement
In Spanish, this word almost always comes after the thing it is describing, just like 'an official message' becomes 'un mensaje institucional'.
Adding an 'o' or 'a'
Mistake: “La regla institucionaria.”
Correction: La regla institucional. Words ending in -al stay the same regardless of gender.
oficial
o-fee-SYALo.fiˈsjal
Examples
Un oficial de policía me pidió la documentación.
A police officer asked me for my documents.
El comunicado oficial será publicado mañana.
The official announcement will be published tomorrow.
Necesitas una traducción oficial del documento.
You need an official translation of the document.
La versión oficial de los hechos es diferente.
The official version of the events is different.
One Form for Masculine & Feminine
'Oficial' is a handy adjective because it doesn't change for masculine or feminine things. You say 'el comunicado oficial' (masculine) and 'la versión oficial' (feminine). It only changes for plural things: 'los documentos oficiales'.
Talking About Women
To talk about a female officer or official, you can often just use 'la oficial'. For example, 'La oficial me ayudó'. The feminine form 'oficiala' exists but is much less common.
Forgetting the '-es' for Plural
Mistake: “Los documentos oficial son importantes.”
Correction: Los documentos oficiales son importantes. Because 'documentos' is plural, 'oficial' needs to become 'oficiales' to match.
burocrático
Examples
El proceso para obtener la visa es muy burocrático.
The process to get the visa is very bureaucratic.
Oficial vs. Autorizado
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.