Inklingo

How to Say "public" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “public” is “público” — use this word when referring to something related to the community, the government, or that is accessible to everyone, like transportation or services..

públicoA2

Use this word when referring to something related to the community, the government, or that is accessible to everyone, like transportation or services.

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social🔊A1

Choose this translation when the meaning relates to society as a whole or community benefit, often in the context of issues or programs.

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comunes🔊A1

Use this adjective when indicating that something belongs to or is shared by more than one person or group, like friends or interests.

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estatal🔊B1

This term specifically refers to services, institutions, or entities that are run or owned by the state or government.

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sociedad🔊A2

Use this noun when you are referring to the general populace, the community of people living together in a country or region.

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abierto🔊B1

Employ this adjective when describing a person's personality as open-minded or when an event is not restricted or is accessible to anyone.

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English → Spanish

público

adjectiveA2general
Use this word when referring to something related to the community, the government, or that is accessible to everyone, like transportation or services.

Examples

El transporte público es muy eficiente aquí.

The public transportation is very efficient here.

social

soh-see-AHL/soˈsjal/

adjectiveA1general
Choose this translation when the meaning relates to society as a whole or community benefit, often in the context of issues or programs.
Three colorful, stylized figures (people) standing in a circle and holding hands, illustrating community and social connection.

Examples

Los problemas sociales requieren soluciones comunitarias.

Social problems require community solutions.

Ella es una persona muy social y tiene muchos amigos.

She is a very social person and has many friends.

Usamos las redes sociales para comunicarnos.

We use social networks to communicate.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective ending in -l, 'social' does not change form for masculine or feminine nouns (e.g., 'problema social' and 'red social'). It only changes for plural: 'sociales'.

Placement

Like most descriptive adjectives, 'social' usually comes after the noun it describes (e.g., 'el impacto social').

Using the wrong plural form

Mistake: “Decir 'problemas social'”

Correction: Say 'problemas sociales'. Adjectives ending in a consonant form the plural by adding -es.

comunes

koh-MOO-ness/koˈmunes/

adjectiveA1general
Use this adjective when indicating that something belongs to or is shared by more than one person or group, like friends or interests.
Two different hands, one light-skinned and one dark-skinned, simultaneously reaching into a woven basket overflowing with identical red apples, symbolizing something common and shared.

Examples

Tenemos varios amigos comunes.

We have several mutual friends.

Son problemas comunes en las grandes ciudades.

They are common problems in big cities.

Las áreas comunes del edificio están limpias.

The common areas of the building are clean.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'comunes' ends in -es, it is the plural form. It can describe both masculine plural nouns (problemas comunes) and feminine plural nouns (áreas comunes).

estatal

es-ta-TAL/es.taˈtal/

adjectiveB1general
This term specifically refers to services, institutions, or entities that are run or owned by the state or government.
A simplistic illustration of a grand governmental building with a central dome and classical columns, symbolizing state authority and ownership.

Examples

La televisión estatal transmite noticias las 24 horas.

State television broadcasts news 24 hours a day.

Necesitamos una política estatal para mejorar la sanidad.

We need a governmental policy to improve healthcare.

El presupuesto estatal se aprobó ayer en el congreso.

The national budget was approved yesterday in congress.

Adjective Placement

Like most descriptive adjectives, 'estatal' usually goes after the noun it describes: 'el banco estatal' (the state bank).

Confusing with 'Estado'

Mistake: “Usando 'Estado' como adjetivo (e.g., 'la educación estado').”

Correction: Use 'estatal' as the adjective form. 'La educación estatal' is correct. The word 'Estado' is the noun (the State/Nation).

sociedad

soh-see-eh-DAHD/so.sjeˈðað/

nounA2general
Use this noun when you are referring to the general populace, the community of people living together in a country or region.
A high quality storybook illustration showing five diverse people (adults and children) standing together in a circle and holding hands, symbolizing society and community.

Examples

Vivimos en una sociedad muy diversa.

We live in a very diverse society.

La sociedad civil protestó contra la nueva ley.

Civil society protested against the new law.

El bienestar de la sociedad es responsabilidad de todos.

The well-being of society is everyone's responsibility.

Feminine Ending

Words in Spanish that end in -dad, like 'sociedad' (or 'ciudad' and 'libertad'), are almost always feminine and require feminine articles (la sociedad).

Incorrect Gender

Mistake: “El sociedad es importante.”

Correction: La sociedad es importante. Remember, it is a feminine noun.

abierto

ah-BYEHR-toh/aˈbjeɾto/

adjectiveB1general
Employ this adjective when describing a person's personality as open-minded or when an event is not restricted or is accessible to anyone.
A friendly cartoon person stands with open arms and palms up, welcoming a large, unusual, colorful geometric shape floating in the air, symbolizing receptivity to new ideas.

Examples

Ella es una persona muy abierta; siempre escucha diferentes opiniones.

She is a very open-minded person; she always listens to different opinions.

El debate de esta noche será abierto a preguntas del público.

Tonight's debate will be open to questions from the public.

Soy más abierto sobre mis sentimientos con mis amigos cercanos.

I am more frank/open about my feelings with my close friends.

Permanent Characteristic (Ser)

When describing a person's personality (like being friendly or open-minded), use the verb 'ser' (to be permanent), not 'estar', as this is a defining quality.

Literal Translation of 'Public'

Mistake: “El evento es público.”

Correction: El evento es abierto (a todos). (While 'público' is correct, 'abierto' often feels more natural when emphasizing accessibility to the general public, especially for competitions or meetings.)

Público vs. Social vs. Estatal

Learners often confuse 'público', 'social', and 'estatal'. Remember that 'público' is the most general term for community or government-related things. 'Estatal' is specifically for things run by the government, while 'social' focuses on broader societal benefits or issues.

Related Translations

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