How to Say "the elite" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “the elite” is “poderosos” — use 'los poderosos' to refer to the group of people who hold significant influence or control, often in politics or business, and are seen as a ruling or decision-making class.
Use 'los poderosos' to refer to the group of people who hold significant influence or control, often in politics or business, and are seen as a ruling or decision-making class.
Learn more →Choose 'la burguesía' when referring specifically to the upper middle class or the wealthy capitalist class, often used in a critical or political context, especially when discussing historical or economic systems.
Learn more →poh-deh-ROH-sohspoðeˈɾosos
Examples
Los poderosos del mundo se reunirán para discutir la crisis.
The world's powerful (leaders) will meet to discuss the crisis.
Es difícil luchar contra los intereses de los poderosos.
It is difficult to fight against the interests of the powerful.
Adjective as Noun
This happens when you put the definite article ('los' or 'las') right before an adjective. It means 'the [adjective] ones.' Here, 'los poderosos' stands for 'the powerful people' without needing to say the word 'people'.
burguesía
Examples
La burguesía surgió como una clase poderosa durante la Revolución Industrial.
The bourgeoisie emerged as a powerful class during the Industrial Revolution.
Distinguishing 'poderosos' from 'burguesía'
Learners often confuse 'los poderosos' and 'la burguesía'. Remember that 'los poderosos' is broader, referring to any influential group, while 'la burguesía' is more specific, denoting the wealthy capitalist class, often with political or critical undertones.
Related Translations
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