tribunal

court

noun tree-boo-NAHL Less Common

Origin: From Latin tribunal (raised platform of magistrates).

Also means

tribunal

Usage Note

Tribunal is masculine and refers to any judicial or quasi-judicial body: a court of law (el Tribunal Supremo), an exam board (tribunal de examen), or an arbitration panel. It is the standard translation of both 'court' and 'tribunal' in legal contexts. El juzgado is a lower-level court (a specific courthouse), while el tribunal implies a more formal collegiate body.

Examples

"El tribunal dictó su sentencia ayer."

Natural Translation

The court delivered its verdict yesterday.

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

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

SpanishNow

How to Say "You" in Spanish: Tú, Usted, Vos & Vosotros

Spanish has five words for "you": tú, usted, vos, vosotros, and ustedes. Learn which to use by who you're talking to and where — plus the verb endings.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Tell Time in Spanish: A Beginner's Guide

Tell time in Spanish with one formula: es la una vs son las, y and menos for minutes, plus de la mañana, en punto, and 24-hour station times.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

Mexican Spanish Slang Every Traveler Should Know

Mexican Spanish slang decoded for travelers: what güey, mande, órale, and ahorita really mean, who you can safely say them to, and how rude each one is.

June 9, 2026 6 min read