How to Talk About Politics in Spanish: Key Vocabulary and Phrases


Discussing politics in Spanish can be intimidating, but with the right vocabulary and phrases, you can confidently participate in conversations, read news articles, and express opinions. Whether you’re traveling, studying, or interacting with Spanish-speaking friends, this guide will help you navigate political discussions.

1. Key Political Vocabulary in Spanish

Basic Terms

  • Gobierno → Government

  • Partido político → Political party

  • Elecciones → Elections

  • Presidente / Presidenta → President

  • Congreso / Parlamento → Congress / Parliament

  • Ley → Law

  • Política pública → Public policy

Ideology Terms

  • Conservador(a) → Conservative

  • Liberal / Progresista → Liberal / Progressive

  • Socialista → Socialist

  • Demócrata / Republicano → Democrat / Republican (U.S. context)

Elections & Voting

  • Votar → To vote

  • Candidato / Candidata → Candidate

  • Campaña electoral → Election campaign

  • Resultados electorales → Election results

2. Useful Phrases for Political Conversations

Expressing Opinions

  • Creo que… → I think that…

  • En mi opinión… → In my opinion…

  • No estoy de acuerdo con… → I don’t agree with…

  • Estoy a favor de… → I am in favor of…

  • Estoy en contra de… → I am against…

Asking Questions

  • ¿Cuál es tu opinión sobre…? → What is your opinion on…?

  • ¿Qué piensas de las elecciones recientes? → What do you think about the recent elections?

  • ¿Qué partido apoyas? → Which party do you support?

Discussing Policies

  • Esta ley afecta a… → This law affects…

  • El gobierno debería… → The government should…

  • La política pública en este tema es… → Public policy on this topic is…

3. Tips for Talking About Politics in Spanish

  1. Learn key vocabulary first – focus on government, elections, and ideology terms.

  2. Listen to Spanish news – shows real-world usage of political phrases.

  3. Practice respectful phrasing – politics can be sensitive, so use en mi opinión and creo que to express your views politely.

  4. Engage in discussions with native speakers – online forums, language exchange apps, or conversation groups.

4. Recommended Resources

  • BBC Mundo – Spanish-language news site covering global politics

  • El País – Spain-based newspaper with in-depth political coverage

  • SpanishPod101 / CoffeeBreak Spanish – Lessons on political vocabulary and conversational phrases

Summary

Talking about politics in Spanish requires familiarity with vocabulary, phrases for expressing opinions, and cultural awareness. Start with basic terms, practice forming opinions, and gradually incorporate idiomatic expressions from news and media. With consistent practice, you’ll be able to participate in political conversations confidently.