ciudadano
Lemma Details
Translation: citizen; townsman; city dweller
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: Derived from 'ciudad' (city) + '-ano' (suffix indicating belonging or origin). The word 'ciudad' comes from Latin 'civitas' (city-state, community), which also gave us English words like 'city', 'civic', and 'civil'. The connection between citizenship and urban living is embedded in this etymology, reflecting how historically, rights of citizenship were often tied to residence in a city.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Todo ciudadano tiene derecho a votar.
Every citizen has the right to vote.
Es nuestro deber como ciudadanos respetar las leyes.
It is our duty as citizens to respect the laws.
Se convirtió en ciudadano español después de vivir allí por diez años.
He became a Spanish citizen after living there for ten years.
Mnemonics
- Think 'city-dweller-ano' - someone who belongs to a city
- Relates to 'civic' in English - both about city membership
- Ciudad (city) + -ano (belonging to) = person belonging to a city
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, the concept of 'ciudadano' carries important political and social connotations, especially in countries with histories of dictatorships where citizenship rights were restricted. The term is often used in political discourse about rights and responsibilities. 'Buen ciudadano' (good citizen) is a common phrase referring to someone who follows laws and contributes positively to society.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'ciudadano' refers specifically to a citizen with legal rights and responsibilities, 'citadino' simply refers to someone who lives in a city or has urban characteristics, without the political implications.
Notes: The distinction is important in political contexts where citizenship rights are discussed.
Mnemonic: 'Ciudadano' contains 'ciudad' (city) plus rights; 'citadino' is just about city lifestyle.
Explanation: 'Ciudadano' refers to a person with citizenship status, while 'civil' is an adjective relating to ordinary citizens as opposed to military or ecclesiastical matters.
Confused word:
Se casaron por lo civil antes de la ceremonia religiosa.
They had a civil ceremony before the religious one.
Notes: Both terms share the Latin root 'civis' (citizen), but have evolved to serve different grammatical and semantic functions.
Mnemonic: 'Ciudadano' is a person; 'civil' describes non-military/religious aspects of society.