Usage Note
Dictado is the past participle of dictar used as an adjective, meaning 'issued' or 'dictated' in formal and legal language (sentencia dictada, 'sentence handed down'; normas dictadas, 'rules laid down'). As a standalone noun el dictado means a dictation exercise (a writing-from-speech school task). Context distinguishes the two uses. Avoid confusing with dictador (dictator).
Examples
"La sentencia dictada fue apelada."
Natural Translation
The dictated sentence was appealed.

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
6 min read