How to Say "police officers" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “police officers” is “policías” — use 'policías' when referring to individual members of the police force in a general sense, suitable for everyday situations.
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policías
nounA1general
Use 'policías' when referring to individual members of the police force in a general sense, suitable for everyday situations.
Examples
Los policías nos ayudaron a encontrar la dirección.
The police officers helped us find the address.
nounB1formal
Use 'agentes' when referring to police officers in a more formal or professional capacity, often emphasizing their role as law enforcement agents.
Examples
Los agentes de policía cerraron la calle por el accidente.
The police officers closed the street due to the accident.
nounA2general
Use 'guardias' for individuals performing security or watch duties, which can include lower-ranking police or civil guards, especially in contexts like stadium security.
Examples
Los guardias revisaron todas las bolsas antes de entrar al estadio.
The guards checked all the bags before entering the stadium.
General vs. Specific Roles
The most common mistake is using 'guardias' when referring to regular police officers performing their duties. 'Guardias' often implies a security guard or a specific type of civil defense role, so stick to 'policías' or 'agentes' for general law enforcement.
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