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How to Say "tribunal" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “tribunal” is “juzgado” — use 'juzgado' when referring to the legal institution or the building where legal proceedings take place, like a courthouse..

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juzgado

hooz-GAH-doh/xuzˈɣa.ðo/

nounB1formal
Use 'juzgado' when referring to the legal institution or the building where legal proceedings take place, like a courthouse.
A grand, symmetrical stone building with tall columns and a wide set of stairs leading to the entrance, representing a courthouse.

Examples

El caso fue llevado a un juzgado de lo mercantil.

The case was brought to a commercial court.

Tuvimos que ir al juzgado para presentar la demanda.

We had to go to the courthouse to file the lawsuit.

El juzgado emitió una orden de arresto contra el sospechoso.

The court issued an arrest warrant against the suspect.

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'juzgado' is always masculine, so you use 'el juzgado' or 'un juzgado'.

estrado

ess-TRAH-doh/esˈtɾa.ðo/

nounB2formal
Use 'estrado' specifically to describe the raised platform or physical area where judges sit within a courtroom.
A sturdy wooden judge's bench elevated on a small platform in an empty courtroom setting.

Examples

Desde el estrado, el juez impartió justicia.

From the bench, the judge dispensed justice.

El abogado se dirigió directamente al juez, que estaba sentado en el estrado.

The lawyer addressed the judge directly, who was seated on the bench.

Todos los ojos estaban fijos en el estrado esperando la sentencia.

All eyes were fixed on the court dais awaiting the sentence.

Masculine Noun

Estrado is always masculine, so it uses the articles 'el' (the) or 'un' (a). You would say 'el estrado' or 'un estrado grande'.

Gender Confusion

Mistake: “Using 'la estrado' instead of 'el estrado'.”

Correction: Since 'estrado' ends in -o, it is masculine: 'el estrado'. Remember this pattern for most Spanish nouns ending in -o.

Juzgado vs. Estrado

Learners often confuse 'juzgado' and 'estrado'. Remember that 'juzgado' refers to the entire court institution or building, while 'estrado' is only the physical raised platform where the judges sit.

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