What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abogado
Example
Mi abogado me aconsejó que no firmara el contrato sin leerlo primero. [abogado: noun]
Example
Ella es una abogada especializada en derecho laboral. [abogada: feminine noun]
attorney
Example
I need to hire an attorney to help me with my divorce case. [attorney: noun]
Example
He is a criminal defense attorney who has won many cases. [attorney: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Attorney is more commonly used than abogado in English-speaking countries. Attorney is versatile and covers a wide range of legal contexts, while abogado is less common and refers specifically to lawyers in Spanish-speaking countries.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abogado and attorney?
Both abogado and attorney can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, abogado may have a more formal or traditional connotation due to its association with civil law systems and Spanish-speaking countries.