How to Say "official" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “official” is “oficial” — use this word when referring to something that is formally recognized, authorized, or sanctioned by a governing body or authority, like an announcement or a title..
oficial
/o-fee-SYAL//o.fiˈsjal/
Examples
El gobierno emitió un comunicado oficial.
The government issued an official statement.
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.
oficial
/o-fee-SYAL//o.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.
autorizado
ow-toh-ree-SAH-doh/au.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-less/ofiˈsjales/
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.)
autoridad
au-to-ri-DAD/aw.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.
formal
for-MAHL/foɾˈmal/
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).
Oficial vs. Autorizado
Related Translations
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