abogado

/a.βoˈɣa.ðo/
lawyer

El abogado presentó los documentos ante el juez.

The lawyer submitted the documents to the judge.


Law
formal

A person whose profession is to provide legal advice and represent clients in legal matters.

Mi hermano es abogado y trabaja en un bufete de prestigio.

My brother is a lawyer and works at a prestigious firm.

El abogado defendió al acusado con éxito.

The lawyer successfully defended the accused.

In some Spanish-speaking countries, 'abogado' can also refer to someone who has completed law school but is not necessarily practicing law.

Collocations

abogado defensordefense lawyerabogado penalistacriminal lawyerbufete de abogadoslaw firm

Pro Tip

Gender forms

The word 'abogado' is masculine by default, but the feminine form 'abogada' is commonly used in professional contexts (e.g., 'la abogada Pérez').

Gold Rule

Formality in legal contexts

When addressing or referring to a lawyer in formal legal settings, use 'señor abogado' or 'señora abogada' followed by their surname (e.g., 'Señora Martínez, como abogada de la defensa...').

Word Origin

From Latin *advocātus* ('called to aid'), past participle of *advocāre* ('to call to, summon'), from *ad-* ('to') + *vocāre* ('to call').

Usage Notes

The term 'abogado' is gender-neutral in Spanish, but the feminine form 'abogada' is also used (e.g., 'la abogada'). In some contexts, 'licenciado' (licensed) may be used interchangeably, especially in Latin America.

Word Breakdown

a-
prefix indicating direction or intensification
prefix
+
bogado
from Latin *vocātus* ('called')
root
Diccionario Español-Inglés