presidencial
Lemma Details
Translation: presidential; relating to the presidency
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: Derived from the Spanish noun 'presidente' (president) + the adjectival suffix '-al'. The word ultimately comes from Latin 'praesidere' meaning 'to preside over', from 'prae' (before) + 'sedere' (to sit). The English cognate 'presidential' follows the same etymological pattern, making this a transparent cognate for English speakers.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
La residencia presidencial está fuertemente custodiada.
The presidential residence is heavily guarded.
Las elecciones presidenciales se celebrarán el próximo año.
The presidential elections will be held next year.
El candidato presidencial dio un discurso convincente.
The presidential candidate gave a convincing speech.
Mnemonics
- Think of the English word 'presidential' which looks and sounds very similar.
- Remember 'preside' + '-encial' = someone who presides over a country.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'presidencial' is commonly used in political discourse and news reporting. The term carries significant weight in Latin American countries where presidential systems of government are common, as opposed to parliamentary systems found in other parts of the world.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Presidencial' refers to things related to a president or presidency, while 'residencial' means 'residential' or relating to a residence or housing.
This word:
El palacio presidencial es un símbolo de poder.
The presidential palace is a symbol of power.
Notes: The two words differ by just one letter ('p') but have completely different meanings in political versus housing contexts.
Mnemonic: 'Presidencial' has 'presi-' like 'president', while 'residencial' has 'resi-' like 'residence'.