amnistía

amnesty

noun ahm-nees-TEE-ah Rare

Origin: From Greek amnēstia (forgetfulness), from a- (not) + mnasthai (to remember).

Also means

pardon

Usage Note

Amnistía is a formal legal pardon granted to a group of people, usually for political offences, wiping out the crime rather than merely reducing the sentence (unlike indulto, a personal pardon). In Spain, the Ley de Amnistía of 1977 is a historically significant measure. Amnistía Internacional is the well-known NGO Amnesty International.

Examples

"El parlamento aprobó una ley de amnistía para los presos políticos."

Natural Translation

Parliament passed an amnesty law for political prisoners.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

How to Memorize Spanish Vocabulary Fast (That Sticks)

Memorize Spanish vocabulary fast with a 15-minute daily loop: spaced repetition, frequency-first words, and example-sentence cards that actually stick.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Introduce Yourself in Spanish: 12 Real Phrases

Introduce yourself in Spanish with 12 ready-to-speak phrases — name, origin, age, and job — in both tú and usted, with the verb traps that trip up beginners.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Reflexive Verbs: Me, Te, Se Made Clear

Spanish reflexive verbs use me, te, se for actions you do to yourself. Master the daily-routine pattern, pronoun placement, and shifts like dormir vs dormirse.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

You're Welcome in Spanish: Beyond De Nada

You're welcome in Spanish is more than de nada. Learn con gusto, no hay de qué, a la orden and more — and which to use by region and how formal the moment is.

June 3, 2026 6 min read