Don’t worry, I’m not going to get into a knock-down drag-out political discussion here. However, with the United States as well as many other countries having elections this year, knowing some words related to this topic might be useful. Understanding Spanish language news requires a foundation of political vocabulary. I have compiled a list of essential words, as well as some phrases that will help when discussing global politics and elections around the world:
Feminine Nouns Masculine Nouns
la política politics el capitalismo capitalism
la votación ballot el electorado electorate
la campaña campaign el gobierno government
la coalición coalition el parlamento parliament
la democracia democracy el padrón electoral electoral roll
la legislatura legislature el partido party
la oposición opposition el golpe de estado coup
la encuesta poll
la izquierda the left Masculine / Feminine Nouns
la derecha the right el/la candidato/a candidate
la república republic el/la presidente president
la dictadura dictatorship el/la gobernador/a governor
el/la senador/a senator
Usually plural el/la diputado/a representative
los derechos humanos human rights
los políticos politicians Adjectives
los votantes voters democrático/a democratic los ciudadanos citizens liberal * liberal
los demócratas Democrats político/a * political
los republicanos Republicans populista * populist
capitalista * capitalist
Verbs socialista * socialist
elegir to elect progresista * progressive
gobernar to govern conservador * conservative
ser candidato a to run for libertario * libertarian
votar to vote *also nouns
Now that you have some new vocabulary, here are some key phrases or conversation starters to express your political beliefs:
¿Qué piensas de los resultados de las elecciones primarias?
What do you think of the results of the primary elections?
No sé, no me interesa mucho la política. Todos los políticos me parecen lo mismo.
I don't know, I'm not that interested in politics. I reckon all politicians are the same.
Prefiero un sistema de izquierda, es más justo y promueve la igualdad.
I prefer a leftwing system, it's fairer and it promotes equality.
Prefiero un sistema de derecha, fomenta el ingenio y la autosuficiencia.
I prefer a rightwing system, it encourages ingenuity and self-sufficiency.
¡Al menos sal y vota! ¡Es tu deber!
At least go out and vote! It's your duty!
With some of these phrases you can start reading more about the elections in Spanish publications as well as expressing your thoughts!
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