Inklingo

How to Say "referendum" in Spanish

English → Spanish

referéndum

nounB2formal
Use 'referéndum' when specifically referring to a direct vote by the electorate on a particular proposal or law, especially in a political context.

Examples

¿Cuál fue el resultado del referéndum?

What was the result of the referendum?

consulta

kohn-SOOL-tahkonˈsulta

nounB1
Use 'consulta' for a general 'vote' or 'query' when it's not specifically a political referendum, such as a survey, an opinion poll, or a request for information.
A storybook illustration showing a simplified figure holding a large magnifying glass and closely examining details on an open, oversized book, symbolizing a search for information.

Examples

El gobierno realizó una consulta popular sobre el nuevo proyecto de ley.

The government conducted a popular consultation on the new bill.

La base de datos permite hasta 50 consultas por minuto.

The database allows up to 50 queries per minute.

Enviamos una consulta al departamento legal sobre el nuevo contrato.

We sent an inquiry to the legal department about the new contract.

Formal Usage

This meaning of 'consulta' is often used in written or official communications, meaning 'a formal question' or 'a data request.' It feels more official than 'pregunta'.

Choosing between 'referéndum' and 'consulta'

The most common mistake is using 'consulta' when the context is clearly a political vote. While 'consulta' can mean a vote, 'referéndum' is the precise term for this specific type of political decision-making process.

Related Translations

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